Children 5-11 years of age are very unlikely to have a severe infection. However, some children with serious underlying disease may benefit from the protection of the Covid-19 vaccine.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) today approved a separate dose of BioNTech / Pfizer's pediatric vaccine for use in this age group.
- Children and adolescents are very unlikely to have severe coronary heart disease. Nevertheless, some children and young people with particularly serious underlying conditions may benefit from the Covid-19 vaccine, says chief physician Margrethe Greve-Isdahl at FHI.
Up to 3000 children can get the vaccine
The BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine is now available to everyone aged 12-17. It is estimated that up to 5 children in the 11-3000 age group will now receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
- The offer is addressed to a small group of children who have already had a very serious illness. These are cases with, for example, cancer, organ transplants, severe immunodeficiency, severe and complex neurological diseases or congenital syndromes. These children can benefit from the protection that the vaccine offers, explains chief physician Margrethe Greve-Isdahl at FHI.
Own dose for children
The approval of the vaccine for the 5-11 age group is based on a study involving 2268 children. Some of them (1517) received the vaccine, and others (751) received a placebo (saline). The children received a vaccine specifically dosed for children. Its strength is 1/3 of the dose administered to adults and adolescents over 12 years of age. The study found that children aged 5-11 years had as good an immune response as a control group aged 16-25 years. In addition, it was checked how many children fell ill in the groups. There were 16 cases of symptomatic Covid-19 in the placebo group and 3 cases in the vaccinated group. No children were hospitalized. This gives a vaccine effect of 91%. Regarding side effects, pain and swelling at the injection site were common, but less common with fever, muscle aches and fatigue compared with vaccination of older adults. children and adolescents.
- The BioNTech / Pfizer vaccine shows in this study that it is effective even at a reduced dose adjusted for children. It also causes less side effects such as fever. It's important that manufacturers work out the right dosage for this age group, says Greve-Isdahl.
Now information will be prepared for municipalities, pediatricians and family doctors about which children can be offered the vaccine and how quickly it can be introduced. The children in question are offered two doses after more detailed explanation of the practical conditions and when the doses for children will be available in Norway.
- It will be a few weeks before we have doses for children in Norway, but as soon as it is available, there will be an offer for those children who have serious underlying illnesses. The vaccine can be an important help in getting back to normal, everyday life, emphasizes Greve-Isdahl.
Norwegian Institute of Health Public cooperated with the Norwegian Pediatric Society on recommendations. A thorough study will also be carried out to assess whether this will make a difference in the general vaccination of children aged 5-11.
Source: Norwegian Institute of Health
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