FDA: Moderna shots seem effective in youngest kids

On Wednesday, both Moderna and Pfizer will have to convince advisers to the Food and Drug Administration that their shots work well in babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

But first, the agency has held up Moderna's teen vaccine for months while it investigated a rare side effect and also can occur with the Pfizer vaccine.

The FDA weighed in late Friday with its own analysis, saying its latest reports of myocarditis both in the U.S. and in other countries did not find conclusive evidence of a difference in risk between the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

Its review also concluded the Moderna shots appear safe and effective for children as young as 6 months old. Federal review of Pfizer's vaccine for the littlest kids is expected by Monday.

Of the two companies to go before the nation's health advisers next week, only Pfizer has a pediatric track record in the U.S. Its COVID-19 vaccine is the only type the FDA allows for children of any age.

Two doses plus a booster are cleared for everyone 5 and older. If the FDA authorizes either vaccine for any age group next week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must weigh in before Americans can be given the shots.