Covid, pediatricians: relaunch vaccinations and re-evaluate the use of masks at school

"We need to intensify the vaccination campaign for the pediatric range and children of school age because

achieved so far

".

This was underlined by the

who, in the face of the increase in infections in school-age children reported by the

, also asks to "re-evaluate" the extent of the obligation to use masks in schools. 

, are currently authorized

only for children aged 12 and over, but vaccination coverage is very low even between 5 and 11 years of age:

. We therefore hope - states Staiano - a resumption of the vaccination campaign pending the approval of the European Medicines Agency EMA for vaccines for the 6 months-5 years range as soon as possible ".

With the reopening of the schools

,

and this "demonstrates, once again - warns the Sip president - how children represent a reservoir for the virus and can develop the infection and also pass it on ".

Therefore, he reiterates, "we ask the future Minister of Health for a decisive intensification of vaccination campaigns and to be vigilant so that immunizations are relaunched in all age groups and especially among the youngest. In the last period, with the improvement of the trend of the pandemic, there has been a lack of attention; on the contrary, it is still necessary to maintain a high level of attention and aim for a massive vaccination also at the pediatric level ". 

Compared to the

, "they certainly play an important role in limiting the infection, also because in the pediatric age it is still difficult to maintain a distance. Under the age of 5 the mask was never foreseen, but with the resumption of infections in the range in school age - states Staiano - we await indications on the use of protective devices and I think that the size of the masks at school should be re-evaluated, even if vaccination remains the safest weapon to combat the spread of the virus ".