Moderna Inc's Covid-19 vaccine could start to be used in children and teens in the US within weeks, its chief executive officer (CEO) has said in an interview ahead of the Reuters Total Health conference, which will run virtually from November 15-18.

Moderna CEO Staphane Bancel said based on dialogue with the US Food and Drug Administration he believes his company's Covid-19 vaccine will be authorised for 12- to 17-year-olds in the next few weeks.

Moderna plans to apply for separate US regulatory clearance in children ages six through 11 "very soon," Bancel said, adding that he is hopeful that age group could start receiving Moderna's shots by the end of this year.

"It's entirely possible that this side of Christmas, six to 11 years of age would have access to Moderna's vaccine," Bancel told Reuters.

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