Immunity and COVID

The pandemic has created havoc throughout the world. The emergence of the Delta variant and its impact is creating concern among the parents. Hence, vaccinating children is becoming a priority throughout the world. Along with vaccination, experts are suggesting to still follow the preventing measures such as using masks and maintaining social distancing and hygiene to control the transmission. Though till now, COVI-19 has infected the children to less extend, yet the children may be infected, get sick and also spread COVID-19.CDC suggests that all above 12 years and older should be vaccinated. Many countries have already started vaccinating children above 12 years. The recent report from CDC stated that children hospitalized with COVID were showing a rising trend from 3.4 to 3.7 among the population where vaccination coverage was low.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approve the Pfizer vaccine among children 12-15  in May, based on the study involving 2,259 children who showed comparable immune response as observed in the age 16-25 cohort. These vaccinated children showed no incidences of infection.

Moderna vaccine was approved by the EMA among children in the age group of 12-17 in June, based on the study which included 3,732 children who were vaccinated and didn’t contract the infection as compared to 4 children who were administered a placebo. Data suggest that France has vaccinated 685 of the children, Italy has vaccinated around 62.43% child population, and Spain has vaccinated 79.2% and Germany 36.7% in the age group of 12-18 year-olds with least one dose.

The US and Canadian regulatory bodies approved the Pfizer Jab in children above 12 years as a fight against the rising cases among children due to the delta variant. Hence, vaccination started with two doses being administered 3 weeks apart. 42% of children in the age group of 12-17 years were given the first dose while 32% were given the second dose of either Pfizer or Moderna. Some schools have made it mandatory for children aged 12 and above to be vaccinated in order to attend the classes. Pfizer has announced that the first results of COVID vaccines among 5-11 years would be available by September, while test results in infants between 6 months to 4 years would be available by December 2021.

China has started vaccinating children of age group 3-17 years with the vaccine produced by Sinovac, setting a target of vaccinating 80% of its 1.4 billion populations including the children by the end of 2021. The Sinovac vaccine is being used in children in Asia, Africa and South America. This vaccine has been approved in Chile among children from 6 years old and above. while clinical trials have started among children in South Africa among children between 6 months to 17 years old.

As per the data from UNICEF, India has the largest adolescent population in the world and the National Serological Survey stated that almost 60% of children have been exposed to the Coronavirus since the pandemic started. A new vaccine produced by Zydus Cadila was given Approval for Emergency use in children of 12 years and above in August making it the first vaccine to be approved for children in India. The Zydus Cadila vaccine is to be administered in three doses among children between 12-17 years and having serious health issues starting from October. But still, the primary focus of the Indian Government is to complete the adult vaccination drive before initiating vaccination to all age groups of children who are healthy.

References:

1. Smith I. COVID vaccines: Which countries are vaccinating children over 12 and how do they compare? : euronews.next; 2021 [updated 14-Sep-21; cited 2021 27-Sep-21].
2. COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases,CDC; 2021 [updated Aug. 17, 2021; cited 2021 17-Aug-21]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/adolescents.html.
3. Reed J. Covid: Which countries are vaccinating children and why? 2021 [updated 14-Sep-21]. Available from: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-58516207