johnson and johnson vaccine
A nurse loads a syringe with a dose of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine on March 9, 2021 in Athens, Ohio.
Stephen Zenner/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Johnson & Johnson has announced it is expanding its clinical trial for its COVID-19 vaccine to include adolescents aged 12 years old to 17 years old.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on adolescents, not just with the complications of the disease, but with their education, mental health, and wellbeing," said Paul Stoffels, vice chairman of the executive committee and chief scientific officer at Johnson & Johnson, in a statement Friday. "It is vital that we develop vaccines for everyone, everywhere, to help combat the spread of the virus with the goal to return to everyday life."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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