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A child receives a corona vaccination (symbol image)
Photo: Sebastian Barros / NurPhoto / IMAGO
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Thursday cleared the way for vaccinating children aged six to eleven with Moderna's Spikevax.
The responsible EMA committee recommended extending the approval to this age group.
The final decision has yet to be made by the European Commission, but this is considered a formality.
So far, the Moderna vaccine has only been approved in the European Union from the age of twelve.
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At the end of November, Ema had already approved the Covid-19 vaccine from Biontech and Pfizer for use in children aged five to eleven.
In Germany, the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) only recommends this for children with previous illnesses.
Upon individual request, however, children without previous illnesses can also be vaccinated after appropriate medical advice.
According to the Robert Koch Institute, almost 16 percent of five to eleven year olds in this country have been vaccinated twice.
The Moderna vaccine for children contains half the dose of an adult dose and is injected twice into the upper arm, four weeks apart.
According to Ema, the effectiveness and safety of Spikevax in children are comparable to those in adults.
The benefits outweigh the risks, especially in patients who are at risk of developing severe infections.
However, a number of countries have restricted vaccinations with Moderna due to the rare risk of myocarditis.
Since November, Stiko has only recommended Covid vaccinations for under 30-year-olds with the Biontech vaccine.
Booster for children from 12 years with the Biontech vaccine
The Ema also gave the green light on Thursday for the booster vaccination of children from the age of 12 with the corona vaccine from the manufacturers Pfizer and Biontech.
Here, too, the EU Commission still has to make a final decision.
However, Ema emphasized that the EU member states themselves decide whether a booster vaccination should be offered to children.
The Stiko had already recommended a third corona vaccination dose for minors between the ages of twelve and 17 in mid-January, also with the agent from Biontech/Pfizer.
A gap of at least three months should be observed after the previous vaccination.
The Stiko justified its recommendation with the sharp increase in new corona infections at the time.
According to Ema, the booster vaccination with the Pfizer preparation has a lower dose for children than for adults.
The approval for a booster vaccination was previously only available from the age of 18.
A booster is given after the primary immunization, which usually consists of two vaccinations.
According to Ema, this increases protection against infection and serious illness.
The authorities' experts had previously checked the manufacturer's data and studies.
No new security risks have become known.
mar/Reuters/dpa/AFP
