China’s single-shot Covid-19 vaccine safe for children at lower dosage, tests find
- Trial involving 150 children found those given a lower dose of CanSino vaccine had a stronger antibody response than adults given a booster shot after 56 days
- The antibody readings, however, did not show to what extent the vaccine could offer protection against Covid-19, researchers cautioned
Researchers decided to lower the dosage after a few participants developed fever and headaches graded at level 2 severity – the second-lowest of four levels.
In children, the lower dose triggered higher antibody levels than the dosage approved for use in adults in China, according to the peer-reviewed finding.
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The trial recruited 150 children and around 300 adults.
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But the antibody readings did not show to what extent the vaccine could offer protection against Covid-19, researchers from a Chinese disease control agency, CanSino and other Chinese institutes cautioned in a paper.
The paper said the booster shot for CanSino’s vaccine improved antibody responses in participants of different age groups, especially for older adults.
But cellular responses, another important part of human immune system, were not boosted by the second shot and researchers said a wider interval than 56 days should be considered.
