Carina Rodriguez of USF has joined the KidCOVE study to clinically test the Moderna vaccine in children ages 6 months to less than 12 years old. Moderna intends to enroll 12,000 participants who will either receive the vaccine or a placebo.

“This research study can help provide critical information about the safety, reactogenicity and immune responses observed with the vaccine in children and ultimately allow the vaccine to be approved for children,” Rodriguez said. “A vaccine that prevents COVID-19 disease in children would be a crucial public health tool to help curb the pandemic.”

• Carina Rodriguez