“And I also thought it was important to have people of different ages and races represented,” adds Audrey, who, like her brother, is Asian. (Their mother, Rachel, a nurse researcher who volunteered for a vaccine trial, requested that their surnames be withheld for privacy reasons.)
In general, the teen trials may be less diverse because results of adult trials show no observable difference in race outcomes. And because the trials for adults were so successful, up to two-thirds of teens could be offered the actual vaccine rather than a placebo.
Pfizer, whose trial is fully enrolled, expects the results of the trials for children aged 12 to 15 in the first quarter of this year, which it will then submit to the Food and Drug Administration for review. Modern is still recruiting for its adolescent trials, with data expected sometime this summer. Other businesses expect to begin adolescent trials soon. Shortly thereafter, researchers will open trials for children as young as 5 years old, probably with a more moderate dose.
As in any medical trial, investigators are treated equally when discussing risks and benefits. Instead of teaching young subjects, dr. Campbell, whose clinic will do a Modern trial for younger children, them in conversation.
“Do you remember your tetanus shot? Tell me about it, ”he can say. And then: “Here’s how it’s similar and how it’s different.” He wants to make sure that the teenager is actively involved in the decision making. “We always say, ‘Do not do this to your parents. ‘”
Dr Sarah Hasan, chief recruiter for DM Clinical Research, which oversees the Houston Fights Covid campaign and most of the city’s vaccine trials, said information sessions for adolescents and adults differ markedly. She has more fun with the teens.
“Usually adults look at the form, ask a few questions and they’re done,” she said. “But kids ask more questions than adults, and they actually listen, which is pretty fun.”