By the fall and the beginning of the new school year, as announced by the pharmaceutical companies, and broadcast by the American CNN, the vaccination of children aged 12 to 16 years could already begin in the world, while most likely the Coronavirus vaccine for children under 12 will be available in early 2022.
Experts in Serbia: pediatricians, epidemiologists and infectologists have different opinions on the vaccination of the very young. While some believe the vaccine will protect them from new and potentially more dangerous strains and more difficult clinical conditions, others note that extensive research is needed before vaccinations are given at this age.
photo: Promo
According to CNN, the companies “Pfizer-Biontek” and “Moderna” have already started testing vaccines in 12-year-old children. Last week, the “Moderna” company began testing children aged 6 months to 11 years, and Alek Gorski, CEO of the “Johnson and Johnson” company, said that the vaccine for children under 18 will probably be available for September. Oxford University announced in February that it would begin testing the Astra Zeneca vaccine in children ages 6 to 17, and “Sputnik V” and “Sinofarm” are working on similar research.
At the same time, the number of children infected with the crown is growing in the world. American television NBS News reported that the hospitalization of children in the US due to the corona has increased by 800 percent in the last six months, while in Britain, according to media reports, up to 100 children with new postpartum syndrome are hospitalized every week.
photo: Printscreen RTS
Dr. Mirsad Đerlek, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Health, told Kurir that there are still no serious problems in Serbia when it comes to children infected with the coronavirus.
– The British strain surprised us and attacked the younger population more, but they are mostly high school students and students. We will be very careful in making a decision about vaccinating children. We will include leading experts in the field of immunology, pediatrics, and other fields in the National Immunization Coordination Team. Although we respect world medicine, we must trust our strengths. We will continue the research in the world, and if a new strain appears that really endangers the health of our children, whether they are 12 or under 12, we could talk about that, if, of course, the tests show that the vaccine it is safe. . In any case, no decision will be made quickly.
photo: Printscreen YouTube
Pulmonologist Dr. Snezana Rsovac, head of pediatric and neonatological intensive care in Tirsova, says to Kurir that it is logical that the vaccine is also developed for the younger population.
– This time, the British strain also significantly affected children. Although they still rarely have a more serious clinical picture, no one can predict how a child will react. It is logical that, when a vaccine is already being developed, it is also being developed for the child population. Unfortunately, we also have children with comorbidities, who may be more susceptible to a worse course of covid infection, says Dr. Rsovac, adding that vaccinating children can be said “only when everything is tested and proven on a scientific basis. “.
Kurir.rs/R. Kantar- A. Kocic
Dr. Zarko Rankovic
Children can be extremely dangerous carriers
photo: Tanjug Dimitrije Nikolić
Infectologist prof. Dr. Zarko Rankovic says that “there is no medical procedure and method that saves more lives than the vaccine.”
– Children are getting sick more and more frequently and, since they usually present asymptomatic symptoms, they can be extremely dangerous carriers. Also in this wave it was concluded that the infection is transmitted more frequently by young people. Most serious research centers do research to vaccinate children and I will be very happy when the vaccine is approved for children under 18 years of age.
Dr. Olivera Ostojic
Comprehensive testing required
photo: Youtube Printscreen
Dr. Olivera Ostojić, director of KBC Children’s Hospital “Dr. Dragiša Mišović”, says that very serious and extensive research is needed to determine that the vaccine is safe, but also needed by children under 16 years of age. old.
– Immunolysis, virologists, and epidemiologists must carefully consider all tests and clinical studies to make a final decision about vaccinating children. Although more children are infected in this wave, the most threatened category continues to be adolescents aged 15, 16 and those with a problem of obesity.
Dr. Sasa Milicevic
Currently, vaccination of children is unnecessary
Pediatrician Dr. Sasa Milicevic explained that the number of children with coronavirus has increased, but that vaccination of children is not necessary at this time, because children do not have a more serious clinical picture.
– Children attend an examination with a mild clinical picture, increased temperature or a runny nose. So far we have not had serious clinical pictures or it is very rare for a child to have pneumonia. If it happens that there is a massive appearance of more serious clinical pictures, then vaccination of children would be necessary.
Dr. Radmilo Petrovic
Children transmit the virus to the elderly
photo: Print screen
Epidemiologist Dr. Radmilo Petrović warns that more and more children are being infected in kindergartens and schools, and that it is completely justified to prepare coronavirus vaccines for them as well.
– Children should be vaccinated with a vaccine that has been well tested because they are also infected in school, kindergarten and the virus is transmitted to the elderly. The virus wants to live and that is why it is spreading more and more to the younger population and to children. Vaccine testing is a long process. It was first examined in adults. No one has deliberately avoided children, but not all of them can be questioned at the same time.
Dr. Georgios Konstantinidis
Vaccinate children over 12 years of age.
Dr. Georgios Konstantinidis, President of the Serbian Pediatric Association, believes that when we finish the mass immunization of priority groups, we should start with the immunization of children, first from 12 to 15 years old.
– Children 6 to 12 years old are weak carriers of the virus and it is debatable whether they should be vaccinated, but children over 12 years old should be vaccinated as soon as we are done with the other categories.
