Oxford to test AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on children | DW

"It is therefore important to collect data on the safety and the immune response to our coronavirus vaccine in these age groups, so that they could potentially benefit from inclusion in vaccination programs in the near future", Rinn Song, a paediatrician and clinician-scientist for the Oxford Vaccine Group, said.

Children as young as six will be given the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine as part of a new clinical trial to test its efficacy in young people.

The University of Oxford has launched the first study to assess the safety and immune responses of its Covid-19 vaccine in children and young adults with the first vaccinations expected during this month.

Profs. Andrew Pollard a senior researcher at Oxford said that although Covid-19 rarely effects children, it is very important to know the effects should be researched since some kids may benefit from the vaccine.

According to CNN, a team at the University of Oxford, which developed the vaccine, said it will test the vaccine on children and teens aged 6-17 there and at sites in London, Southampton and Bristol.

Pollard added, "These new trials will extend our understanding of the control of SARS-CoV2 to younger age groups".

Up to 240 subjects will receive the vaccine, while the rest will receive a control drug.

In October previous year, USA drugmaker Pfizer began testing its shot in children as young as 12 while Moderna began trials on children in December.

Pfizer, whose vaccine has already been authorized for use in people 16 and older, began testing its shot in children as young as 12 in October. It's a concern that some professional groups are also voicing in Italy and Spain, even though AstraZeneca says its vaccine offers high levels of protection against severe disease.