Sharon LaFraniere

The preliminary results appeared to show that three doses of the vaccine worked better than two.

Both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech have asked the agency to approve their vaccines for children under 5.

Researchers combined Moderna’s existing vaccine with one designed to attack the Beta variant, and found it provided a stronger defense against several variants.

People in the age group can get the additional shot at least four months after their first booster. Those 12 and older with certain immune…

The plan will offer people 65 and older — and possibly some younger adults — the option of another booster, in case infections surge again…

The company said the vaccine produced a strong immune response in children younger than 6, but proved only about 40 percent effective in preventing symptomatic…