Moderna to Provide up to 125 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Globally in Early 2021

Moderna Inc. said Thursday that it is looking forward to having 100 million to 125 million doses of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine ready for the entire globe by the first quarter of 2021.

Of those 125 million COVID-19 vaccines, some 85 million to 100 million will be going to the United States, Moderna said in a report from Reuters.

Moderna expects to produce 500 million to 1 billion doses of a COVID-19 vaccine globally in 2021, and the promised 125 million doses as part of the first-quarter doses.

The early-stage trials on Moderna's experimental medication demonstrated 94 percent efficacy against the coronavirus.

The vaccine, called mRNA-1273, has to be given in two injections administered 28 days apart.

Moderna Vaccine Produces Antibodies Lasting At Least 3 Months

According to a CTV News report, the vaccine also produced potent antibodies that can live for at least three months. These antibodies appeared to remain elevated in all trial participants despite the slight decline over time.

A new study from the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which co-developed the drug, drew these conclusions from the immune response of 34 adult participants of different ages.

Despite the decline of these antibodies, people don't have to be concerned since the immune system will likely remember the virus if they get re-exposed later on and produce new antibodies.

Additionally, the study also showed that Moderna's vaccine also activated a certain type of immune cell that helps in the body's memory response. The researchers encouraged further and longer-term studies to confirm these findings.

Moderna had already filed for emergency approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will face review on December 17, when it could receive a green light.

Another COVID-19 vaccine pending approval from the FDA is the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine candidate, which also used genetic material in the form of mRNA.

Moderna to Start Testing COVID-19 Vaccine in Children

Since vaccines have varying reactions depending on the recipient's age, research is still needed to ensure that an FDA approved vaccine for adult use is also safe and effective for children.

Generally, adult trials come first to ensure that there are minimal risks among children.

Several pediatric health workers called for the immediate start of these kinds of trials so children can get back to school soon.

According to Al Jazeera, Moderna started to respond to these calls as its posting noted that they would begin administering doses to 3,000 children aged 12 to 17.

Half of the children involved in the study will receive a vaccine dosage, while the other half will get a placebo. However, the posting on clinicaltrials.gov said the study was "not yet recruiting."

Colleen Hussey, a spokeswoman for Moderna, told New York Times said it's not yet certain when the testing sites will be listed or when the study will start accepting volunteers.

Dr. William Schaffner, an adviser on vaccines to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recognized that there is anticipation surrounding the children's trials. But he also warned that children have more active immune systems.

They are prone to more fever, muscle and joint aches, and fatigue that might make some parents reluctant to give their children a second shot.