The corona vaccines from Moderna and Biontech are approved for children and adolescents in Germany.
But what side effects are possible with a vaccination?
Kassel - Two Corona * vaccines are currently approved for children and adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age in Germany: the "Comirnaty" vaccine from Biontech / Pfizer since the end of May and the "Spikevax" vaccine from the US manufacturer Moderna since July .
The two mRNA preparations are considered effective against corona infection - according to current studies, also against the Delta variant *.
But even if the two remedies have been approved for children and adolescents for a long time, the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) * recommends immunization only if there is a higher risk of severe disease, such as in previously ill children.
The decision for or against a vaccination against the coronavirus ultimately rests with the children and their parents.
Corona vaccination for children: These side effects and vaccination reactions have occurred so far
As with all vaccinations, side effects and vaccination reactions are possible with the corona vaccines.
The latter, however, are completely normal, as the immune system is stimulated by the vaccine.
Since children usually have a very active immune system, the vaccine reactions can be stronger than in adults.
Most of the time, however, the reactions subside within a few days.
It should be said that a vaccination also works successfully if there are no vaccination reactions or side effects.
The following vaccination reactions have so far been reported most frequently with the Covid-19 vaccine from Biontech / Pfizer:
around 90 percent of the children and adolescents had pain at the injection site
70 percent complained about fatigue and headaches
more than 40 percent had chills and muscle pain
almost 20 percent had a fever and joint pain
In rare cases, swelling of the lymph nodes or allergic reactions are possible.
So-called anaphylactic reactions occurred in less than one in 100,000 vaccinations.
Usually these have no consequences.
However, the drug authorities continue to monitor and review such cases.
Serious side effects, such as facial paralysis, thrombosis or neurological symptoms, did not occur in the registration study.
The results are based on data from the Federal Center for Health Education
Video: How useful is a corona vaccination for children and adolescents?
Side effect of corona vaccination for children and adolescents: concern about myocarditis
What has been causing concern in recent weeks, however, are rare cases of heart muscle inflammation during vaccinations with the vaccines from Biontech and Moderna *. According to the CDC, United States health authority, such inflammation affects about one in 18,000 vaccinated people. The highest risk would therefore have male adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 years.
In most cases, the inflammation is associated with slight pain in the chest, but should go away on its own after a few days. According to the experts, it can be assumed that in most cases there will be no long-term consequences. Furthermore, from the point of view of science, it is still uncertain what connection could exist between the inflammation and the corona vaccination. For both the CDC and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), however, the benefit of Covid-19 immunization for children outweighs the risk of a side effect that has so far rarely been identified. (Nail Akkoyun)
* hna.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA