COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice reports that Moderna is seeking FDA approval of its vaccine for use in children under 6 years old

Press Release

Gov. Jim Justice and members of the West Virginia COVID-19 pandemic response leadership team held another news briefing today to update the public on the state's latest pandemic response and vaccine distribution efforts.
MODERNA SEEKS FDA AUTHORIZATION OF VACCINE FOR CHILDREN UNDER AGE 6
During Thursday's briefing, Gov. Justice echoed a recent announcement by Moderna that the COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize its vaccine for children under the age of 6, making it the first vaccine manufacturer to do so.

Currently, only children ages 5 or older can be vaccinated in the U.S., using Pfizer's COVID vaccine.

"Parents of roughly 18 million of our youngest Americans -- the only population group not yet eligible for vaccination -- have been waiting for months for pediatric doses," Gov. Justice said. "We're very hopeful that the approval process will be smooth and successful."

State Coronavirus Czar Dr. Clay Marsh said that, once the vaccine receives approval in this age group, parents are encouraged to get their children vaccinated.

"We know that, although children generally have done better related to deaths and hospitalizations than adults, we know that the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome can be focused on children who have had COVID. Long COVID problems can also be focused on children," Dr. Marsh said. "We hope that parents really do see this as an opportunity to protect their children from these complications of COVID-19, and also to help make sure that these children don't infect other vulnerable, immunocompromised, or elderly people. Getting children vaccinated is very important."

To-date, all West Virginians ages 5 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. After the primary series, first booster shots are recommended for those ages 12 and older.

Second booster shots have now been authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC for those ages 50 and over who are also at least four months removed from their first booster dose, as well as certain younger immunocompromised individuals ages 12 and older.

All West Virginians who qualify can immediately get this dose anywhere vaccines are available.

The state's new COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator has been updated to determine whether people are eligible for a second booster dose.

CASE NUMBERS UPDATE
On Thursday, Gov. Justice reported that there are now 799 active cases of COVID-19 statewide; up by 168 cases since his previous briefing on Monday.

Since reaching their most recent peak in late January, total active cases have decreased by 96.3% overall. However, over the past week, total active cases in West Virginia have gone up by 299.

COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov

Still, since nearing peak capacity in early February, COVID-related hospitalizations in West Virginia are down 92.1%, ICU patients are down 90.4%, and patients on ventilators are down 91.3%.

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