Covid Vaccine For Children: Everything You Need To Know

It is less urgent to vaccinate children compared to older age groups and healthcare workers, because children and adolescents tend to have milder disease compared to adults

Representational image (Source: Getty)

New Delhi: Several countries around the world have approved Covid-19 vaccines for children belonging to different age groups, or are considering the same. On Saturday, December 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will begin COVID vaccination of children aged 15 to 18 from January 3, 2022.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Covid-19 vaccines are safe for most people aged 18 and above, including people with pre-existing conditions such as auto-immune disorders, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, pulmonary, liver, and kidney disease, as well as chronic infections that are stable and controlled.

Should Children Or Teenagers Get Vaccinated Against Covid-19?

Children and adolescents tend to have the milder disease compared to adults. As a result, it is less urgent to vaccinate them than older people, healthcare workers, and those with chronic health conditions, unless the children and adolescents are a part of a group at higher risk for severe Covid-19.

In order to be able to make general recommendations on vaccinating children against Covid-19, more evidence is needed on the use of the different Covid-19 vaccines in children. Vaccine trials for children are ongoing.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is suitable for use by people aged 12 and above, according to WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE). The vaccine may be offered to children aged between 12 and 15 who are at high risk, along with other priority groups for vaccination. It is important for children to continue to have the recommended childhood vaccines, the WHO said on its website.

The WHO has approved both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for use in children aged 12 and above. Studies are ongoing to determine vaccine efficacy in children under 12 years of age.

The WHO recommends that countries should vaccinate children only when high vaccine coverage with two doses has been achieved in higher priority-use groups.

Children living in an area of high Covid-19 transmission should take precautions such as avoiding crowded places and maintaining social distancing, washing their hands regularly, and wearing a mask.

Most Children & All Teens Are Eligible For Covid-19 Vaccines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone aged five years and above can get a Covid-19 vaccine, in the US.

Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and J&J/Janssen vaccines have not been authorised for children aged four years and below.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been authorised for children aged five to 11, while Moderna and J&J vaccines have not been authorised for children belonging to the same age group.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been authorised for children aged 12 to 17 years, while the other two vaccines have not been authorised for children belonging to the same age group.

Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and J&J vaccines have been approved for people aged 18 years and above.

Everyone aged 16 years and above is eligible for a Covid-19 booster shot.

Covid-19 Recommendations For Children & Adolescents

Children and adolescents aged five to 17 are recommended to receive the age-appropriate formulation of a Covid-19 primary vaccine series. The two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech primary series is the only vaccine approved or authorised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for children and adolescents aged five to 17 years. 

Covid-19 primary vaccination is recommended for everyone aged five and above, regardless of a history of underlying medical conditions, symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, or seropositivity, according to the CDC.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines can be given safely to children with evidence of a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to data from clinical trials.

The recipients of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, who are aged 12 and above, and are moderately or severely Immunocompromised, should receive an additional primary dose of the mRNA Covid-19 vaccine administered for the primary series, according to the CDC. Recipients of the Moderna vaccine, aged 18 and above, should receive the additional primary dose. 

Adolescents aged 16 to 17 may receive a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months after completion of the primary series, based on individual benefits and risks.

Booster doses are not recommended for people aged below 16.

Children aged five to 11 should receive the 10 microgram Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, or the orange cap formulation, while adolescents aged 12 and above should receive the 30 microgram Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, or the purple or gray cap formulation. 

Adverse Events Caused By Covid-19 Vaccines For Children

The available safety and immunogenicity data for Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines in children and adolescents see similar to those seen in young adults. In children aged five to 11, local and systemic reactions following vaccination are less frequent, compared to young adults aged 16 to 25 years.

Syncope or fainting may occur in association with any injectable vaccine, especially in adolescents.

Myocarditis is a rare and serious adverse event that has been reported after receiving the second dose of the mRNA Covid-19 vaccines. The highest risk is currently observed in males aged 12 to 29. 

Vaccine providers, particularly while vaccinating adolescents, should consider observing the recipients for 15 minutes after vaccination to reduce the risk for injury in case they faint. 

Important Things To Know About Covid-19 Vaccine For Children Aged 5 To 11

1. The Covid-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11 is safe and effective
2. Covid-19 vaccines can help protect children aged five and above from spreading Covid-19 to others.
3. Some side effects may be observed in a child after vaccination — these are normal signs that indicate their body is building protection
4. The Covid-19 vaccine dose administered to children aged five to 11 years is not the same as the dose given to adults and teens. It is based on age, not weight.
5. The Covid-19 vaccine administered to adults and teens cannot be given to children aged five to 11.
6. Severe, adverse events after vaccination are possible but rare.
7. Children can safely receive other vaccines the same day they received the Covid-19 vaccine.
8. Children who have already suffered from Covid-19 should still get the vaccine.

The FDA has given emergency use authorisation to a Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 in the United States. The vaccine involves two doses, given three weeks apart. The vaccine is 100% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children ages 12 to 15.

For children aged 16 and above, the FDA has approved a Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, now called Comirnaty. The vaccine is 96% effective at preventing severe disease with COVID-19 caused by the delta variant.