Children’s Healthcare Of Atlanta Doctor Discusses Moderna’s KidCOVE Study

Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta are participating in a clinical trial testing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 6 months to 12 years old.

Dr. Evan Anderson, who serves as principal investigator for the KidCOVE study at Emory Children’s Clinic, says more than 12,000 families have reached out and that currently a diverse group of kids are being enrolled in the study at both sites.

“It’s a phase two and three study,” said Anderson, who is an attending physician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and a professor of pediatrics and medicine at Emory University School of Medicine.

“The initial part of this study is looking at trying to identify the best dose to use in various kids depending upon their age. And then, in phase three that will then look in comparison to placebo and at how well the vaccine is tolerated, the safety, the immune response and potentially whether or not it can prevent COVID-19 infections.”

On Tuesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Anderson talked with show host Rose Scott about how the study is being conducted, the vaccine doses given during the clinical trial and the challenges in understanding how to treat children with COVID-19 and when the vaccines could be available for younger kids.

To listen to the full conversation, click the audio player above.

Dr. Evan Anderson joins "Closer Look" to discuss the KidCOVE study at Emory Children's Clinic. (Courtesy photo)
Dr. Evan Anderson joins “Closer Look” to discuss the KidCOVE study at Emory Children’s Clinic. (Courtesy photo)