Children Recruited for Pfizer Vaccine Trial in Spain

CHILDREN HAVE been recruited for a Pfizer vaccine trial in Spain. The IHP Group, an Andalucian Pediatric firm, has already begun the clinical trial, which is being carried out worldwide, to verify that the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective against Covid-19 in the early stages of life.

As reported by Malaga Hoy, the multicenter and international study has the participation of 80 research centres around the world. In total, around 3,200 children will participate in a complex medical-scientific process that aims to guarantee a vaccine for children between two and 12 years of age.

Each centre has recruited around 40 children who will be closely followed to verify the safety, efficacy and persistence of antibodies against Covid. With centres spread throughout Andalucia, Grupo IHP is part of this international network that will test the Pfizer vaccine in children. Once the study is approved by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (Aemps), vaccination will begin for three age groups: 2 to 5 years, 5 to 11 and 12 to 18 years. The IHP Group will first vaccinate the 5 to 12-year-old group followed by the 2 to 5 year-olds.

Dr Ignacio Salamanca de la Cueva, coordinator of the IHP Group Research Unit, explains that “this study will be carried out in a double-blind manner; that is, a group of children will receive the vaccine and another group of children a placebo. When the study ends, children who have not received the vaccine will be offered it”. The results are expected to be obtained as soon as possible so that the youngest children can access protection against the coronavirus. “They will be known almost simultaneously to the development of the study and will be sent to the health authorities so that they can make the appropriate decisions, as has already happened with adolescents”.