Vaccination prevents severe covid-19 and MIS-C
It was recently announced that all children aged 5 to 11 can receive a corona vaccination. In doing so, the cabinet is following the advice of the Health Council. But why should you vaccinate your child against corona? And how safe is it? The five most frequently asked questions in a row.
1. Why can young children now also be vaccinated against corona?
Children usually have mild complaints after being infected with the corona virus. So why a vaccination? Because, according to the Health Council, the infection can lead to serious complaints in a very small group, which may require hospitalization. Covid-19 also develops into Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Children (MIS-C) in a small group of children. This is a very rare, serious inflammatory reaction that occurs in the organs.
Vaccination can therefore prevent a small group of children from developing severe Covid-19 and MIS-C. In addition, the council states in the advice that vaccination will probably also prevent children from having long-term complaints after a corona infection (lung covid). Moreover, it (indirectly) prevents children from having to miss sports, school and social contacts, for example. This can lead to poorer health and social-emotional development and learning disabilities. The Council therefore recommends that children in this age group be offered a vaccination.
2. Is it safe to vaccinate children in that age group?
At the end of November, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) declared Pfizer/BioNTech’s corona vaccine safe and suitable for children aged 5 to 11 years. EMA concludes based on to investigate that they have studied, that the effect of the vaccine in children is at least as good as in (young) adults.
3. Which vaccine can the children receive?
Children aged 5 to 11 can receive the corona vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech. As with the other age groups, this vaccine consists of two injections. The only difference is that the dose is much lower: 10 micrograms. People over 12 get 30 micrograms. The immune response of young children is stronger than in adults.
4. What about the side effects?
The side effects of the corona vaccination in children are mild to moderate, according to the Health Council. As with other age groups, they are more common after the second dose. This concerns, for example, pain around the puncture site and headache.
No data are yet available on large-scale follow-up studies in young children. As a result, no statements can be made about any rare side effects that have been reported in young adults (under the age of 30), such as myocarditis and pericarditis. It is clear from studies that for children the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis, but also of, for example, MIS-C, is much greater when going through a corona infection than as a side effect of vaccination.
5. When can they get their first shot?
Children who fall into this age group can get their shot from the second half of January. This is possible at the GGD vaccination locations. Children, of course, always come with their parents or guardians. The group of children with an increased medical risk will already be invited by their pediatrician from this week. It is expected that their vaccinations can start from December 20 due to the expected delivery.
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