NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - Johnson & Johnson said Friday it has started testing its COVID-19 vaccine in older children and teenagers, ages 12 to 17.
The company said in a statement that it has expanded the Phase 2a clinical trial, which first began in September. The study was initially designed to evaluate the safety, reactions and immune response of single-dose and two-dose regimens of the shot in "healthy adults aged 18 to 55 years, as well as adults aged 65 years and older." It now includes adolescents.The vaccine will initially be tested in a small number of 16- and 17-year-old participants.