The use of different COVID-19 vaccines on children needs ‘more evidence’ to come up with general recommendations, according to the World Health Organization.
The world continues to fight the pandemic. Apart from the main preventive measures, COVID-19 vaccines are a part of managing the battle to end the global crisis.
Earlier this month, the World Health Organization evaluated several vaccines against coronavirus. They named six vaccines that have met the necessary criteria for efficacy and safety. These are from Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, and Sinovac.
The health agency recommends people ages 18 and above get their respective jabs. But, younger individuals can also contract the virus. Even so, the WHO suggests that parents may “hold off” on vaccinating their children against COVID-19, according to FOX 59 News.
Adults and individuals with conditions are priority
The publication bases its assertions on the World Health Organization’s June guidance. It states that “children and adolescents tend to have milder” symptoms in comparison to adults.
Accordingly, it is “less urgent” for parents to vaccinate their children than older individuals, health workers, and those with chronic health conditions. They may get their COVID-19 vaccines, though, if they are “part of a group at higher risk of severe COVID-19.”
The agency notes, nevertheless, that it remains important for children to get their “childhood vaccines.”
COVID-19 vaccines suitable for 12-year-olds and above
In the same advisory, the World Health Organization shared the most “suitable” COVID-19 vaccines for children and adolescents aged 12 years and above. The conclusions came from its Strategic Advisory Group of Experts, naming the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
The agency consequently added that they may get the said vaccine, “alongside other priority groups for vaccination” against COVID-19. They will, however, update the recommendations as vaccine trials for children remain ongoing.
In the end, the WHO stated that they need “more evidence” on the use of different vaccines against COVID-19 in children.
Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC has released a set of specific guidelines for vaccines against COVID-19 in children and teens. It recommends parents check their respective local pharmacies, healthcare providers, local health departments, and states when finding a vaccine for their children.
The agency also emphasizes that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Also, individuals cannot get coronavirus infections from any vaccine. Moreover, children will need second shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine three weeks after their first jabs.
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