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Stiko is now changing the vaccination recommendation for children from the age of twelve

2021-08-16T10:59:24.441Z


After a long hesitation, the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) has now changed its recommendation on corona vaccinations for children and adolescents.


After a long hesitation, the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) has now changed its recommendation on corona vaccinations for children and adolescents.

Berlin - vaccinate children against Corona, or rather not?

This question is a headache for many parents and sparked heated discussions.

The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) is now in favor of a corona vaccination for all children and adolescents from the age of twelve.

The vaccines from Biontech and Moderna are approved for ages 12 and up.

Stiko: Advantages outweigh the risk of rare side effects

After careful assessment of new scientific observations and data, the assessment came to the conclusion that “according to the current state of knowledge, the advantages of vaccination outweigh the risk of very rare vaccine side effects”, the panel announced on Monday and referred to a draft resolution. The official recommendation text is not yet available, changes are still possible in a coordination process with the federal states and specialist groups.

"This recommendation is primarily aimed at the direct protection of vaccinated children and adolescents from Covid-19 and the associated psychosocial consequences," explained the Stiko.

The vaccination should continue to be carried out after medical advice on the benefits and risks.

They “expressly oppose vaccination being made a prerequisite for social participation in children and adolescents”.

Corona vaccinations for everyone from the age of twelve: What changes after the Stiko recommendation?

So far, the Stiko had been cautious about corona vaccinations for children between twelve and 17 years of age. In his recommendation at the beginning of June, this is only recommended if there is a higher risk of severe corona courses, for example due to diseases such as diabetes, obesity and chronic lung diseases. But, after medical information and individual decisions by children and parents, a vaccination against Corona was already possible for healthy people, according to Stiko.

Stiko boss Thomas Mertens recently justified the previous reluctance with insufficient data on the safety of vaccination in adolescents.

The main focus was on the possible consequences of myocardial inflammation in vaccinated people.

On Monday, the Stiko spoke of mostly uncomplicated processes.

In the meantime, possible risks of vaccination in the age group could be assessed more reliably, said the panel.

It pointed to nearly ten million vaccinated children and adolescents in the American vaccination program.

In addition, “mathematical modeling” had shown that, given the now dominant delta variant, there is a “significantly higher risk” of illness in the event of a possible fourth wave of infections in autumn, the Stiko said.

According to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on Monday, 24.3 percent of 12 to 17-year-olds have been vaccinated against corona at least once and 15.1 percent have been completely vaccinated.

The age group of twelve to 17 year olds comprises around 4.5 million.

Corona vaccinations for children - these countries are leading the way

The USA, Israel and France have long since included children and adolescents in their vaccination programs:

  • The

    USA

    began vaccinating children and adolescents from the age of twelve against the coronavirus on a large scale in mid-May.

    So far, only the vaccine from Biontech and Pfizer has been approved for this age group.

    In the United States, Moderna's vaccine has only been given to adults over the age of 18.

  • Israel expanded

    its vaccination program to include 12 to 16 year olds in June.

    Young people who are at risk of severe Covid 19 disease or who have high-risk patients in their families could also get vaccinated beforehand.

  • In exceptional cases, Israel has recently also allowed vaccinations for children from the age of five.

    Children who are particularly at risk of becoming seriously ill or dying in the event of an infection, for example because they suffer from heart or lung problems, can be vaccinated since August 1st.

    You will receive 0.1 milliliters of the Biontech / Pfizer vaccine - a dose three times less than that of adults.

  • France

    has been vaccinating 12 to 17 year olds since mid-June.

    At first only the vaccine from Biontech / Pfizer was used, since the end of July the Moderna vaccine has also been approved for children and adolescents.

    The French health authority HAS has set the goal of "achieving a high level of vaccination coverage in all age groups".

    However, the prerequisite for a corona vaccination is that both the child and his or her parents agree.

Spahn welcomes the vote of the vaccination commission on child vaccinations

Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn described it as "good news" that the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) is now in favor of corona vaccinations for all children from the age of twelve. "Parents and young people have a clear recommendation to opt for the vaccination," said the CDU politician on Monday. "The facts speak in favor of the vaccination, there is enough vaccine for all age groups." If desired, a vaccination could take place this week. 

(dpa / afp / ml) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-08-16

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