The federal agency was made aware some health care providers had administered the full single dose vial of the vaccine, which contains “notably more” volume than the 0.25 mL volume indicated for children aged 6 months to 11 years.
This article originally appeared on our sister website, Contemporary Pediatrics.
The FDA is highlighting dosing information for Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formulation) in children aged 6 months to 11 years, after the federal agency learned that some health care professionals did not recognize entire vials were sometimes being administered to children.1
The correct volume of the vaccine to be administered to children under the FDA authorization is 0.25 mL. Some health care providers have administered the entire contents of the single dose vial to children, not recognizing this vial contains “notably more” than 0.25 mL of the vaccine.1
No associated safety risks have been identified with the administration of the higher dose in children aged 6 months to 11 years. Further, no serious adverse events were reported as related to a dosing error for the vaccine.1
The FDA has highlighted the importance of correctly dosing the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in children aged 6 months to 11 years.
Despite some children receiving a higher dose than recommended, no associated safety risks or serious adverse events have been reported as related to dosing errors for the vaccine.
The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine has been updated for the 2023-2024 formulation to include a monovalent component corresponding to the Omicron variant XBB of SARS-CoV-2.
The FDA is advising health care professionals who administer the vaccine to make sure the correct volume of the vaccine is withdrawn from the vial and the correct dose is administered to the patient.1
The Dosage and Administration section of the Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine has been updated to provider further clarification regarding the correct volume of 0.25 mL for this patient population.1 In part, this section of the Fact Sheet states:
Click here to view the full Fact Sheet, provided by the FDA.
The Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine was amended to include the 2023-2024 formulation on September 11, 2023. The vaccine includes a monovalent component which corresponds to the Omicron variant XBB.1.5 of SARS-CoV-2.3
The updated formulation is authorized for all doses administered to the age group referenced throughout the article. Following the amendment to the EUA, the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent is no longer authorized for use in the United States.3
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