What about physically developed 10 or 11 year olds? Is the dose sufficient here?
Vaccinations are allowed for different age groups – regardless of weight and size. “Of course, conversely, the question arises whether the permitted dose should be used for physically underdeveloped or underweight 13-year-olds,” says Kerbl. In principle, an adaptation is “always possible, only then you only move back into the off-label area and as a doctor you are responsible”. In individual cases, parents can and should discuss such questions with the treating doctor.
When can we expect approval for under 5-year-olds in Europe?
Kerbl is not expecting it this year. “Maybe in the spring of 2022, but that’s just a cautious guess.” He is not convinced that the youngest will be approved at all. “For reasons that have not yet been fully clarified, we currently have relatively few hospitalized children with corona in Austria after a difficult phase in the spring.” It is not yet possible to predict whether this will continue to be the case in the coming months.
Should we also think about other corona vaccines for children?
In Bahrain, the Sinopharm vaccine has been approved for children aged 3 and over. The dead vaccine is used in various countries in Asia, South America, Africa and Europe. It is not approved in Europe. Kerbl advocates using tried and tested drugs: “In my opinion, we don’t need any additional vaccines at the moment. I also believe that the participation rates among the under-12s will not be very high anyway.”
Moderna is testing a dose of 50 micrograms for children under 12 (equivalent to the booster dose for adults). Studies show that this dose provokes one and a half times higher antibody levels in the little ones than in adolescents. Are 50 micrograms too much for children?
Like other manufacturers, Moderna tests several doses in its approval studies. Kerbl: “In the end you will probably decide on the lowest possible dose that still generates sufficient immunity.”
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