COVID-19 Vaccine for Children: Necessary, Yet How Dangerous?

Russian media have highlighted the new vaccines against the Coronavirus, the vaccination of children over 5 years old, and the positions of countries such as “Israel,” Germany, France, and the United States towards vaccinating children.

According to an article by journalist Irina Nevinnaia published by the newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, children from 5 to 12 years old in the U.S. may start getting a COVID-19 vaccine as early as this year, and perhaps in the coming months.

As part of this, Pfizer will complete clinical trials for a pediatric vaccine at the end of September 2021, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hopes that the data provided will be sufficient for the urgent approval of the vaccine.

The Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research of the FDA, Peter Marks, confirmed that “Moderna Pharmaceutical Company will complete similar studies by the end of the year,” in an interview with the Associated Press, where he also explained the reasons for not vaccinating children with the adult vaccine.

“Vaccinations are likely to begin in the coming months, as Pfizer expects to complete trials of the COVID-19 vaccine on children over 5 years of age by the end of September 2021,” Marks said.

According to Marks, the agency will analyze the results of the study “in a few weeks.”

In addition, he indicated that vaccine developers are also testing them in the younger age group of infants over 6 months.

 

Going back to schools, the unvaccinated teens need to be vaccinated, as they are more likely to contract the disease, “allowing room for the virus for more mutations, so some parents are looking for opportunities to vaccinate their children with the adult vaccine,” the paper notes.

Asked about the possibility of such a vaccination, an FDA spokesperson said: “The most important advice I can have is, please do not do it. Please allow us to do the necessary assessment to make sure that when you vaccinate your child, you vaccinate them at the correct dose and the safe way.”

Marks stressed that to protect children it is important that all adults in the family get vaccinated, adding, “If you want to do something now for your child, make sure that you get the vaccine, that your family has been vaccinated, that all people who come into contact with your children have been vaccinated, and that your child knows very well how to wear a mask.”

How is the situation in other countries with regard to vaccination of children?

According to the article by the Russian TASS news agency, “Israel,” leading globally in the proportion of people vaccinated, began vaccinating against the Coronavirus for adolescents aged 12 to 15 years in June 2021.

As in “Israel,” in the United States, Coronavirus vaccines are approved for use only from the age of 12.

At the same time, the U.S. company Moderna, as well as Pfizer/BioNTech, began trials of the drug for children aged six months to 11 years.

Once the trials are completed, the data is expected to be reviewed by the FDA and then approved for emergency use.

According to media estimates, this will happen by mid-winter, after which a universal vaccination of children under the age of 12 will become possible.

 

The writer also mentioned that the French authorities intend to start a wide campaign to vaccinate school children with the beginning of the new school year, those who still have the opportunity to be vaccinated (this is officially permitted since June 15, 2021), but so far the results of this work are relatively modest.

With 50 percent of the country’s population vaccinated, only one in five schoolchildren between the ages of 12 and 17 received the first dose of the vaccine.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned, in a televised speech, that as early as July 21, 2021, “citizens over the age of 12” will need a certificate of vaccination or a negative Coronavirus test to access theaters, parks, concerts, and festivals.

As of August 30, 2021, this rule applies to teenagers when visiting cafes and restaurants or when traveling long distances by plane or train.

In Germany, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) recommended vaccinating children and adolescents against Coronavirus between the ages of 12 and 17 only who suffer from chronic diseases, such as diabetes or lung disease.

According to the experts of the committee, the Coronavirus poses a less serious danger to children than to adults. So far, about 80 minors have been treated in Germany in intensive care units for the Coronavirus, and only a few deaths are known.