DUBAI: Britain鈥檚 medicines regulator said on Thursday it had approved the use of Moderna Inc鈥檚 COVID-19 vaccine in children between six and 11 years, as the country bolsters itself for fighting coronavirus infections.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the approval was granted after Moderna鈥檚 vaccine, known as Spikevax, met the required standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
Spikevax was already approved in Britain for those over 12 years, and the extension to include younger children comes hours after the regulator approved French firm Valneva鈥檚 easy-to-store COVID-19 vaccine for adults up to 50 years of age.
MHRA chief June Raine said in a statement it would be up to Britain鈥檚 Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization to advise on whether Moderna鈥檚 vaccine will be offered to the younger group as part of the country鈥檚 immunization program.