The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recently approved the use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of five and eleven. Children can receive two shots of the vaccine three weeks apart, however the doses are smaller than in case of adults. Dr. Attila Szabó emphasized that inoculating children, who can unwittingly transmit COVID-19 to others, is an important part of the fight against the pandemic.
“I recommend that every child between the ages 5-11 get the vaccine, if there are no contraindications. Although younger patients usually experience milder symptoms, we have had a few severe cases here at the department”, pointed out Dr. Attila Szabó.
As they go to school or kindergarten, young children are more likely to become infected. Even if many of them display few or even no symptoms, they can transmit it to adults, who may develop more severe symptoms.
Although COVID-19 in children is usually of short duration with low symptom burden, many patients at the long-COVID clinic developed symptoms related to the disease which persist after recovery and have a huge impact on the quality of life. Preventing the disease would be the best way to avoid these complications
– pointed out dr. Attila Szabó.
Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS) is a rare complication of COVID infection in children. Recently an average of two PIMS cases per week have been treated at the department. The number of PIMS cases could also decrease if fewer children get infected with the virus thanks to the vaccine.
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Dr. Attila Szabó emphasized that children are expected to have much milder symptoms after the vaccination, which are also much more moderate than the symptoms of a COVID infection. The reactions are similar to those in adults, but are not as common. After vaccination children may experience redness, swelling and pain around the area of injection and after the second jab, malaise and chills may occur.,
At Semmelweis University, the vaccine is primarily administered to children aged 5-11 years at the vaccination point of the 1st Department of Pediatrics in Bókay Street. Registration for the vaccination of children aged 5-11 was opened online vakcinainfo.gov.hu on 8 December.
Children are vaccinated at the designated vaccination points and in the family pediatrician’s office in certain cases. Parents can schedule an appointment on the National eHealth Infrastructure (EESZT) platform a few days after the registration.
Pálma Dobozi
Photo: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University
Translation: Norbert Lukács
