The fifth wave of the epidemic is severe. More than 200 confirmed cases of children aged 11 or below have been recorded, and two young children have died of the epidemic.
The government announced earlier that the age of children's vaccination of Sinovac vaccine will be relaxed to 3 years old or above, and the minimum age of vaccinating Fubitai vaccine is 5 years old. , only a quarter of parents intend to vaccinate their children aged 5 to 11 against the new crown in the first half of this year.
Cui Junming, president of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists, said that children who have not been vaccinated are at high risk of infection, and may experience the sequelae of "long-term new crown" and "multisystem inflammatory syndrome" after recovery.
He called on the government to increase the number of child vaccination centers as soon as possible, and at the same time provide data on child vaccinations in various countries to relieve parents' doubts.
As for the current rush to buy oral medicines, he stressed that prevention is better than cure. Oral medicines are not suitable for everyone. They are only for adults with mild to moderate disease and are at risk of exacerbation. Children are not suitable for oral medicines.
There is a rush to buy oral drugs for the new crown in the market. He emphasized that oral drugs are only for adult patients with mild to moderate disease and the risk of deterioration, and children are not suitable for oral drugs.
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Pediatricians say infected children may have sequelae such as "long new crown" and "multisystem inflammatory syndrome"
Zhang Jie, a pediatrician, pointed out that Omicron is spreading rapidly around the world. According to data from the United Kingdom and the United States, the infection rate of children aged 5 to 11 is higher than that of all age groups, and the admission rate is 10 times higher than that of children who have completed the vaccination.
Infected children have the opportunity to develop the sequelae of "long-term new crown" and "multisystem inflammatory syndrome", which seriously affect the physical and mental health of children.
Coupled with the repeated epidemics in Hong Kong, school children have been suspended 4 times for more than 400 days, which seriously affects their academic, psychological and social health. In addition, due to the long stay at home, parents and children are prone to friction, which increases the risk of domestic violence. probability.
Survey of the Institute of Pharmacists: Parents' intention to vaccinate the "skinny" group is only one third of that of the "elderly"
The Hong Kong Institute of Public Opinion commissioned the Hong Kong Institute of Hospital Pharmacists to conduct an online questionnaire survey from January 27 to February 9 this year. A total of 322 parents of schoolchildren aged 5 to 15 were interviewed.
According to the survey, only 24% of schoolchildren aged 5 to 11 (the "careful" group) intend to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 in the first half of the year.
While 62% and 7% of students aged 12 to 15 (the "elderly" group) have received at least one dose or plan to receive it in the first half of the year, only three of the "elderly" parents are willing to let the "smart" vaccinate. one part.
Even if there are mild side effects, you can be discharged in 2 to 3 days
The survey also revealed that parents in the "Skinny" and "Older" groups were worried about the side effects, sequelae or death of their children after vaccination, so they did not plan or hesitate to vaccinate their children.
Cui Junming pointed out that after vaccination, there will inevitably be side effects, but the symptoms are mild.
Children aged 5 to 11 had a lower rate of myocarditis, while children aged 12 to 15 had a higher rate of myocarditis than the "careful" group, but all cases were mild and could be discharged in 2 to 3 days.
Cui Junming pointed out that if there are minor side effects after the injection, such as pain at the injection site or a slight fever, paracetamol can be chosen.
He reminded that children under the age of 2 are not suitable for taking over-the-counter medicines, and the details of the medicine must be checked with a pediatrician.
He emphasized that vaccination with Sinovac or Fubitai can reduce the chance of severe illness and death, and more than 100 million schoolchildren around the world have been vaccinated.
He said that the vast majority of children are suitable for the new crown vaccine, including children with controlled and stable asthma or eczema.
The efficiency rate of Fubitai against the new coronavirus variant virus is 90.7%.
And according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fubitai is 98% effective in preventing adolescents from being admitted to the intensive care unit.
In addition, Kexing vaccine can trigger T-cell immune response, which can effectively prevent severe illness and death.
Will vaccination against the new crown change children's genes?
Cui Junming explained that Kexing is an inactivated vaccine with a history of more than 70 years, so it is quite safe.
Vaccines just kill the virus and have nothing to do with genetics.
As for the Fubitai vaccine, it only stimulates the immune system and does not enter the nucleus of human cells. After the vaccine enters the body, it will be quickly absorbed by metabolism.
Oral medicine not everyone can take Cui Junming: prevention is better than cure
Cui Junming emphasized that prevention is better than cure, and vaccines belong to prevention, and only treatment should be taken when unfortunate infection occurs.
And oral medication isn't for everyone, it's only for adults with mild to moderate disease who are at risk of getting worse.
Allow them to take it at home to reduce hospital admissions and reduce medical burden.
He said, don't expect oral medicines, children are not suitable for oral medicines, and called on children to be vaccinated first.
▼The second batch of mainland experts arrived in Hong Kong on February 19▼
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