Moderna says its vaccine offers strong protection in kids as young as 12

The company says it will submit teen data to the US Food and Drug Administration and other global regulators early next month

Moderna said Tuesday its Covid-19 vaccine strongly protects kids as young as 12, a step that could put the shot on track to become the second option for that age group in the US.

With global vaccine supplies still tight, much of the world is struggling to vaccinate adults in the quest to end the pandemic. But earlier this month, the US and Canada authorized another vaccine the shot made by Pfizer and BioNTech to be used starting at age 12.

Moderna aims to be next in line, saying it will submit its teen data to the US Food and Drug Administration