Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met yesterday with the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Nachman Ash, and with senior officials in the ministry to discuss preparations for a child vaccine. In the evening, a meeting of experts from the Vaccine Advisory Committee was held.
On Thursday next week, an extended expert discussion of the advisory committee is expected, along with the epidemic treatment team.
The discussion may be broadcast to the public.
The Ministry of Health is currently compiling data on Corona morbidity and hospitalizations in this age group.
However, there are still no complete data on children with post-coronary arthritis (PIMS).
It is estimated that there were about 150 cases in Israel, and that the prevalence of the syndrome was 1 in 3,000 people infected.
The director general of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Nachman Ash, referred to the recommendation of the experts advising the FDA and said: "I estimate that in a few weeks we will start vaccinating children in Israel."
Meanwhile, Israel began ordering vaccine doses of Pfizer to children.
Children will be vaccinated with a dose that is one-third of an adult vaccine dose (10 ml). To avoid confusion, the children's vaccines will be in an orange vial and that of adults in a purple vial.
Corona vaccines.
The children's portion - a third of that of the adults, Photo: Coco
"Recent publications have led to interest from parents, as well as from children who already want to be vaccinated. Some children have seen friends who have fallen ill and are interested in the vaccine," says Dr. Miri Mizrahi-Reuveni, head of the health division at Maccabi Health Insurance Fund.
"Things are still in the making and we are preparing to vaccinate within two weeks, as soon as the decision is made. 15 ".
She added: "We call on all parents to consult a pediatrician. It is important to remember that corona is considered a mild disease in children, but the risks of the disease outweigh the risks in the vaccine.
Prof. Tzachi Grossman, chairman of the Association of Pediatricians, welcomes the recommendation to vaccinate children and notes that next Thursday there will be an expert discussion in Israel as well:
I will support the recommendation to vaccinate, and I am sure most members will do so. "
The FDA model
"FDA officials have built a mathematical model that tries to predict whether it is 'profitable' to take the vaccine even when the morbidity is low. This issue arises in many questions that we also hear from parents, "said Prof. Grossman, adding:" Although the morbidity is declining, we always say that it is not known what is behind the door and that it is worth preparing for the fifth wave, if it comes. "
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Discussion, Photo: No Credit
The director general of Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital, Dr. Erez Barenbaum, also responded to the decision, saying that "the fact that the State of Israel is at the end of the fourth wave must not obscure the reality that the whole world is currently facing one of the most complex epidemics we have known. The population, there is a high probability that we will deal with more waves of the Corona virus. It has dozens of counters. "
Meanwhile, Eleanor Rumi from Jerusalem told Israel Today that she is undecided whether to vaccinate her 9-year-old daughter.
"The reason for the hesitation is that there is no knowledge of how the children will react to the vaccine. My family and I have suffered from side effects, and I do not know how a small child will deal with it. I will wait to see the course of events."
Abolishing the crowd restriction
In addition, Prime Minister Bennett and Health Minister Horowitz have agreed to lift the restriction on gatherings in open spaces, and entry to events will be allowed subject to the presentation of a green sign.
Yuri Yalon participated in the preparation of the article
