When will children be able to get the Corona vaccine?

In those countries that were lucky enough to be able to launch a vaccination campaign against infection with the emerging coronavirus, it was the front-line workers from the health care sector, and the elderly, who received the vaccine so far.

But as vaccines slowly make their way toward reaching younger populations, parents will be notified at some point that their children may receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

And in most parts of Europe, vaccinations are not expected to be given to the youngest before the end of this year, while the waiting period will be longer in other less wealthy parts of the world.

Meanwhile, children under the age of 16 will have the longest wait until they are vaccinated.

For his part, Fred Zeb, director of the Center for Pediatrics and Adolescents at the University of Mainz in Germany, and a member of the permanent German vaccination committee (STICO), says, "The reason behind this is that the requirements for taking tests for them are much higher than for adults."

"The younger the person, the stronger his reaction, and the side effects may be more severe for them," he added, noting that vaccines are not expected to be given to young people in Germany, before the end of this year, at the earliest.

Most likely, that will be early next year.

Of all the vaccines available at the present time, only one vaccine is allowed for ages 16 years and over.

All other types of vaccines are for adults only, according to the European Union license, at least.

Only a few vaccine manufacturers have begun experimenting with minors, which has huge costs for children's immunity.

On the other hand, the German Robert Koch Institute for Infectious and Non-communicable Diseases Control says: "Before clinical tests are performed on children, it must be ensured that no serious side effects occur in studies that include adults."

According to German companies working in the field of research-based pharmaceutical manufacturing (VFA), the studies conducted on children under 12 years old are part of the European Medicines Agency's requirements regarding vaccines produced by the companies «Biontech / Pfizer» and « Moderna ».

"It is expected that studies will not start on these age groups until there are good results regarding its effectiveness on adolescents and their tolerance to the vaccine," according to a document issued by the German drug manufacturers (VFA).

Usually manufacturing firms gradually make their way into the younger age groups.

To make matters more complicated, the dose can be adjusted for children, unlike for teens who get the same adult dose.

Younger children may need another type of dose.

But even if vaccines are available, this does not mean that they will be used.

In addition, the authorities responsible for administering vaccines in Germany did not confirm - until last January - that they would recommend vaccinations for children in the future.

And the pediatrician, Zeb, reminds that if we give vaccines to children, we will essentially do so to protect other people.

"Children are significantly less likely to be seriously affected than adults," he explains.

Therefore, we will vaccinate children to protect the elderly in the first place.

Thus, we have to ask ourselves whether this is morally justifiable, regardless of the children who are at particular risk of infection. ”

And if children are excluded from the equation, will it be possible to reach the required herd immunity? .. Zeb says: "Yes, in principle."

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