1. The Pfizer vaccine is safe for young children, says EMA
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the corona vaccine Pfizer/BioNTech at the end of November declared safe and suitable for children aged 5 to 11 years. The vaccination consists of two shots of 10 micrograms, a much lower dose than people over 12 (30 micrograms) receive. This is because the immune response of young children is stronger.
From the studies that EMA has studied, the drug agency concludes that the effect of the vaccine in children at least as good is like with (young) adults.
2. Vulnerable young children will be vaccinated from mid-December
For the small group of young children with a high medical risk, about 42,000 children, it has already been decided that they are eligible for a corona vaccination. They can get a shot from December 20th.
The advice about vulnerable children aged 5 to 11 years was a long time coming, according to some parents. Bettina, for example, she previously tried to get a vaccine for her vulnerable daughter Carmen (7).
–
–
3. Pediatricians are divided on vaccinating healthy children
Whether the Netherlands should also call on healthy young children for a vaccination is more complicated. Pediatricians have different views on this. For example, Patricia Bruining, pediatrician and epidemiologist at UMC Utrecht, said after the positive advice from the EMA that she wanted to vaccinate healthy children. would like more research first. “For now I think: it is safe enough to use the vaccine in case of medical necessity for the child itself, and also, for example, as a so-called ‘ring vaccination’ for a seriously ill family member.”
Károly Illy, president of the Dutch Association for Pediatrics, is also reluctant. He thinks it can be good to vaccinate a healthy child if there is a vulnerable member of the family, or if a grandfather or grandmother regularly babysits. But he generally has a hard time getting young children vaccinated. “Because then you actually use children as an instrument because adults do not take their responsibility,” he said at the end of November at EenVandaag.
Raquel Abrahams, youth physician and vice-chairman of the AJN (association of youth physicians), believes that all children should be able to get a shot. In return for news hour she said: “The European Medicines Agency has approved the vaccine for the 5-11 year olds group, so why don’t we give that choice?”
She speaks to parents who want to vaccinate their children. “Sometimes to protect others, but also because they are concerned, for example, about what lung covid can do to young children.”
–
–
4. Children hardly get sick from corona, but they do spread the virus
Young (and therefore unvaccinated) children now contribute to the spread of corona, the recent RIVM figures show. Children become infected, but they themselves do not or hardly become ill from an infection. They also rarely end up in hospital. This is probably because their body reacts less violently and so the symptoms are not that bad.
5. Long-term effects of vaccine unknown but unlikely
Now that billions of people have been vaccinated, all the side effects of the corona vaccines are now well known, dare experts say. Most side effects are mild and pass quickly, and we know that serious side effects are very rare.
From experience with other vaccines, the Medicines Evaluation Board says it does not expect any long-term risks, not even in children. This is because most side effects occur within a few weeks after the injection and the vaccine disappears from your body. Still, the college has reservations because the vaccine is new: “Thanks to large-scale research we know a lot, but rare side effects or late side effects we cannot completely exclude. That is why we will of course continue to pay attention.”
–
–
6. Vaccinating young children is already underway abroad
Young children are already receiving a corona vaccine in the United States, Canada and Israel.
In the United States, nearly 5 million children under the age of 12 have had an injection, about 17 percent of all children. Erik Mouthaan, United States correspondent for RTL Nieuws: “Children’s vaccinations only started in November, so the number will increase considerably. Just like parents have their children vaccinated against measles, rubella or HPV, many parents here opt for the vaccination for their child. Contrary to the Netherlands, it is mandatory in many American states that children are vaccinated before they can go to school.”
There are differences. Republican states have less confidence in the vaccine and far fewer children are vaccinated than in New York City, for example, where a quarter of children have already been vaccinated.
7. Waiting for a decision from Minister De Jonge
In the Netherlands, it is ultimately Hugo de Jonge, outgoing Minister of Health, who decides whether every child should be eligible for an injection. He will respond a few days after the Health Council’s advice.
–
–
