FDA approves COVID-19 treatment for children

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WWMT) — The Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved a COVID-19 treatment for children as young as 28 days old.

The FDA approved the use of Veklury (remdesivir), an antiviral injection, for the treatment of COVID-19 in young children who test positive for COVID-19 who are hospitalized or at a high risk of their illness becoming severe.

Veklury is the first approved COVID-19 treatment for children under the age of 12 years old.

Prior to the approval for young children, Veklury was only approved for the treatment of certain adult and pediatric patients over 12 years old with COVID-19, according to the FDA.

“As COVID-19 can cause severe illness in children, some of whom do not currently have a vaccination option, there continues to be a need for safe and effective COVID-19 treatment options for this population,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.