Children aged 5 to 11 with an increased risk of becoming seriously ill after a corona infection should be invited for a vaccination against the virus. This is stated by the Health Council in an advisory report to the Ministry of Health. This concerns children who are being treated by a pediatrician because they have, for example, a chronic lung disease, a congenital heart defect or Down syndrome. According to the council, there are about 40,000 children.
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In general, a corona infection in children is milder than in adults. But according to the Health Council, young children with an increased medical risk have a greater chance of hospitalization after an infection. They also run a higher risk of getting a serious inflammatory reaction in the organs due to corona.
Pediatrician makes selection
Because these children are almost always treated by a pediatrician, the Council advises that these doctors also make the selection of children who should be eligible for an injection.
Lower dosage of Pfizer/BioNTech
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) previously determined that the corona vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech is safe for use in children aged 5 to 11 years. The children will then receive a lower dose than adults.
The first adjusted doses of the vaccine are expected in December, according to the council, which will come “soon” with advice on the vaccination of healthy children against corona.
Children from the age of 12 are already vaccinated against the virus.
Logical advice
Outgoing minister Hugo de Jonge will issue an official response next week, but on Friday he called it “logical advice. We are happy to adopt that. There are a number of choices that can be made in the implementation, which we will make over the weekend. “
By: ANP
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