Many children and young people suffer very much from the deprivations that come with the pandemic.
Germany's paediatricians are therefore appealing to adults.
Cologne - Pediatricians appeal to adults to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Since children usually cannot yet be immunized due to a lack of vaccine approval, millions of them in Germany are dependent on adults' sense of responsibility.
This is what it says in a joint appeal by the professional association of paediatricians (BVKJ) and the German Society for Children and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ).
The vaccination appeal is aimed in particular at adults who come together with younger children at work, but also at those "who want to contribute to the protection of the youngest through their own vaccination protection".
“The children have had far too long a period of resetting.
Much of what is part of a fulfilling children's life for us adults was withheld from them, ”said DGKJ President Jörg Dötsch.
“Shouldn't we as a society finally give something back to the children and relieve them?” He asks.
"I am making an urgent appeal to all adults to accept their vaccination offer and get vaccinated to protect our children!"
"We have to assume that the consequences of the lockdown measures for this age group are more serious than the illness itself," said BVKJ President Thomas Fischbach, referring to the psychological impairments of children, their lack of exercise, overweight and obesity as well as educational deficits. The children should be able to participate in society, for example through access to face-to-face teaching. "An essential measure to enable our children to do this is to vaccinate adults against the coronavirus."
The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) has not given a general vaccination recommendation for children from the age of twelve for the time being. She recommends vaccinations only for 12 to 17 year olds with certain pre-existing conditions such as obesity. Regardless of this, vaccinations are possible as an individual decision by parents, their children and the doctors. There is currently no approved vaccine for children under the age of 12. dpa
