“Next Wednesday the Health Council will issue an advice, I think it is good to wait and see.” That’s what pediatrician Patricia Bruijning of UMC Utrecht said in news hour. She responds to the news that the House of Representatives wants to see children with an increased medical risk from the age of 12 vaccinated as soon as possible.
The Pfizer vaccine was approved by the EMA last week approved for use in children between the ages of 12 and 15. Countries such as the US, Germany and Canada have already indicated that they are going to use the injection. “The advice of the health councils is not yet available there either. That also seems to me to be a decision that should come from the experts, not from the House.”
“Fortunately, few children become ill from the infection,” says Bruijning. “You want to vaccinate groups at risk, such as children who are overweight – just like adults – as soon as possible. About 6 to 8 percent of children, for example, also receive an annual flu shot. I expect the Health Council to advise these types of risk groups. vaccinate children as well.”
With regard to children who are not in a risk group, Bruijning thinks it is wise to wait a few more months. “If you look at Israel, for example, you see that infections hardly ever occur among children if adults have had it. We have done little research into vaccinations in children, not yet enough to remove very rare side effects. Then you have to do some research.” wait longer, especially in healthy children with a low risk of infection.”
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