The National Vaccination Policy against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, was officially adjusted to include the inoculation of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years living with some comorbidity.
This, after, with the entry of the third wave of the pandemic in Mexico, the proportion of cases in girls, boys and adolescents will increase by three percentage points.
The burden of the disease in minors (0 to 17 years old) in Mexico represented only about 5 percent of the total epidemic, hospitalizations only 1.6 percent, and deaths less than 1 percent.
Currently the proportion of cases in this population sector is 8 percent, according to data from the National Epidemiological Surveillance System.
Although the mortality burden in this group is less than 2 percent, in more than 5 percent of cases, registered deaths presented some comorbidity: l7 percent diabetes, 9 percent chronic renal failure, 11 percent immunosuppression and 16 percent obesity.
The changes in the National Vaccination Policy come after fathers and mothers of minors in various states of the country promoted protections to be able to vaccinate their children.
Pfizer, the only option for minors
Children between 12 and 17 years of age with any comorbidity will be vaccinated with the antigen of Pfizer-BioNTech, since to date it is the only vaccine platform that has demonstrated safety and immunogenicity in this age group, and that has the approval for its emergency application by Cofepris.
On the other hand, the National Vaccination Policy states that “no vaccine will be administered to people under 12 years of age until there is sufficient evidence of safety in this population”.
However, it points out that different clinical trials with populations under 12 years of age are currently in process for their subsequent inoculation.
According to the document, neither may it be considered en masse for vaccination childhood population living with cancer “As long as there are no specific studies and analyzes on the safety and efficacy of vaccines.”
What will be the process for vaccination?
Each health institution will estimate the needs by federal entity and will send the estimates to the federal coordination of the vaccination strategy.
Additionally, the pre-registration on the mivacuna.salud.gob.mx platform, in which the population must register with CURP and contact information, as well as select the risk or comorbidity group for vaccination, consistent with the clinical diagnosis, in addition to indicating the institution and care unit.
It is suggested that each adolescent who goes to a vaccination site is presented with a card and / or proof that certifies the diagnosis of one of the risk conditions, issued by treating medical personnel.
The following comorbidities will be taken as risk factors: chronic heart conditions; chronic lung disease; chronic conditions of the kidney, liver or digestive system; chronic neurological disease; endocrine diseases; moderate to severe immunosuppression; asplenia or spleen dysfunction and hematological diseases; serious genetic abnormalities that affect multiple systems; and teenage pregnancy.
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