Aifa green light for the anti Covid vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 years

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01 December 2021 The Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa) goes free to the anti-Covid vaccination for the pediatric range of children between 5 and 11 years old.

The vaccination will take place with two doses of Pfizer vaccine, in a specific formulation and one third of the dosage, three weeks apart. The adoption of "age-appropriate" vaccination routes is suggested, when possible.

Aifa's opinion comes after the approval, last November 25, of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which recommended the extension of the indication for Pfizer-BioNtech's Covid vaccine to include use for children aged between 5 and 11 years.

In order to avoid possible administration errors, the CTS recommends, for the age group in question, the exclusive use of the ad hoc pediatric formulation, suggesting when possible, the adoption of age-appropriate vaccination courses. In the opinion, the CTS notes that "although Covid infection is certainly more benign in children, in some cases it can be associated with serious consequences, such as the risk of developing multisystem inflammatory syndrome (mis-c), which may require also hospitalization in intensive care ".

Finally, the CTS underlines that "vaccination brings benefits such as the possibility of attending school and leading a social life characterized by recreational and educational elements that are particularly important for psychic and personality development in this age group".