Expert reaction on pediatric covid vaccination in Spain
Expert reaction on pediatric covid vaccination in Spain
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The Public Health Commission (CSP) of the Spanish National Health System approved last December 7 the vaccination of children aged 5-11 against covid-19. Attached are statements by the coordinator of the Vaccine Commission of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, Francisco Álvarez García, as well as other journalistic resources on this subject.
The Public Health Commission (CSP) of the Spanish National Health System approved last December 7 the vaccination of children aged 5-11 against covid-19. Attached are statements by the coordinator of the Vaccine Commission of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, Francisco Álvarez García, as well as other journalistic resources on this subject.
Publication
What our experts say
Context and background
Resources
The AEP (Spanish Association of Pediatrics) recommends vaccination for five reasons, according to the coordinator of the Vaccine Commission of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, Francisco Álvarez García:
- Because we have a vaccine that has been shown to be effective (90.7%) and safe.
- Because of the right to individual protection of children against a disease which, although generally mild in this age group, can be serious and can cause complications. Since the beginning of the pandemic in Spain there have been 10 deaths in children under 10 years of age and more than 180 admissions to the PICU.
- Contribute to the achievement and maintenance of safe educational spaces, which allow a normalization of schooling, interpersonal relationships and psychoemotional well-being of these children, because psychiatrists have seen this in the pandemic.
- Enable group protection, which for the delta is 91% and this age group represents 10% of the population and we will also manage to reduce the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and the appearance of new variants;
- Not to deprive this group of the benefits of vaccination enjoyed by others, even if their health objectives are different.
On the safety of vaccines:
Has it been tested in a sufficient number of children? Of course, the trial is powerful and the side effects are the usual ones even minor because it carries 1/3 of the adult dose.
About myocarditis and other side effects:
No myocarditis has been detected in children under 12 years of age. Myocarditis is not expected in this age group (5-11) and we have administered 3 million doses in the USA and Canada and it has not appeared.
The main side effects are the usual ones: fever, chills, tiredness, headache and myalgia.
Resources
Updated information from the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP). This text reminds about special cases and immunosuppressed children: "Other issues such as vaccination in special cases (children who have already passed the covid or who suffer it in the time between both doses) are to be determined. Immunosuppressed children, a special risk group who need special attention, may display an incomplete immune response after vaccination. Therefore, the technical sheet already includes the option of a third dose 4 weeks after the second dose of the standard schedule."
Comirnaty Vaccine Data Sheet
News from the Vaccine Advisory Committee: EMA approves Comirnaty vaccine in adolescents (May 30, 2021).
Vaccine Advisory Committee News: EMA recommends licensure of pediatric formulation of Comirnaty in children 5 to 11 years of age (Nov. 26, 2021)
Studies supporting licensure of covid vaccines in children and adolescents.
Frenck RW, et al. Safety, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 Covid-19 Vaccine in Adolescents. N Engl J Med. 2021;385:239-50
Ali KA, et al. Evaluation of mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Adolescents. N Engl J Med. 2021;385:2241-51
Walter EB, et al. Evaluation of the BNT162b2 Covid-19 Vaccine in Children 5 to 11 Years of Age. N Engl J Med. 2021, 9/nov. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2116298
This article is also available in Spanish.
The AEP (Spanish Association of Pediatrics) recommends vaccination for five reasons, according to the coordinator of the Vaccine Commission of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, Francisco Álvarez García:
- Because we have a vaccine that has been shown to be effective (90.7%) and safe.
- Because of the right to individual protection of children against a disease which, although generally mild in this age group, can be serious and can cause complications. Since the beginning of the pandemic in Spain there have been 10 deaths in children under 10 years of age and more than 180 admissions to the PICU.
- Contribute to the achievement and maintenance of safe educational spaces, which allow a normalization of schooling, interpersonal relationships and psychoemotional well-being of these children, because psychiatrists have seen this in the pandemic.
- Enable group protection, which for the delta is 91% and this age group represents 10% of the population and we will also manage to reduce the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and the appearance of new variants;
- Not to deprive this group of the benefits of vaccination enjoyed by others, even if their health objectives are different.
On the safety of vaccines:
Has it been tested in a sufficient number of children? Of course, the trial is powerful and the side effects are the usual ones even minor because it carries 1/3 of the adult dose.
About myocarditis and other side effects:
No myocarditis has been detected in children under 12 years of age. Myocarditis is not expected in this age group (5-11) and we have administered 3 million doses in the USA and Canada and it has not appeared.
The main side effects are the usual ones: fever, chills, tiredness, headache and myalgia.
Resources
Updated information from the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP). This text reminds about special cases and immunosuppressed children: "Other issues such as vaccination in special cases (children who have already passed the covid or who suffer it in the time between both doses) are to be determined. Immunosuppressed children, a special risk group who need special attention, may display an incomplete immune response after vaccination. Therefore, the technical sheet already includes the option of a third dose 4 weeks after the second dose of the standard schedule."
Comirnaty Vaccine Data Sheet
News from the Vaccine Advisory Committee: EMA approves Comirnaty vaccine in adolescents (May 30, 2021).
Vaccine Advisory Committee News: EMA recommends licensure of pediatric formulation of Comirnaty in children 5 to 11 years of age (Nov. 26, 2021)
Studies supporting licensure of covid vaccines in children and adolescents.
Frenck RW, et al. Safety, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 Covid-19 Vaccine in Adolescents. N Engl J Med. 2021;385:239-50
Ali KA, et al. Evaluation of mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Adolescents. N Engl J Med. 2021;385:2241-51
Walter EB, et al. Evaluation of the BNT162b2 Covid-19 Vaccine in Children 5 to 11 Years of Age. N Engl J Med. 2021, 9/nov. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2116298
This article is also available in Spanish.
Media Release
La Comisión de Salud Pública aprueba la incorporación de niños y niñas de 5 a 11 años a la estrategia de vacunación contra la COVID
