COVID-19 vaccination in children: an open question

Campagnani, Giuseppe;Bardanzellu, Flaminia;Pintus, Maria Cristina;Fanos, Vassilios;Marcialis, Maria Antonietta

2021-01-01

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Abstract

Background: A safe and effective vaccine represents the best way to control the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused, to date, more than 4 millions deaths. Several vaccines are now approved worldwide, according to the country. Being administered to healthy people, anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines must meet high safety standards, and this is even more important among the pediatric population in which the risk of developing a severe disease is significantly lower than adults. However, vaccination of pediatric population could help in reducing viral spread in the whole population. Objective: Our narrative review analyzes and discusses the currently available literature on the advantages and disadvantages of COVID-19 vaccination in the pediatric population. Methods: Our bibliographic research was conducted through Pubmed, Read and Scopus using COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, immunization, antibody, COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, COVID-19 vaccine safety, children, adolescents, MIS-C, adverse effects as keywords. Results: Although children are less susceptible to COVID-19 infection, they can develop serious consequences, including multi-inflammatory Syndrome. However, before administering children vaccination with complete safety, any vaccine-related side effects should be evaluated. To date, adverse effects are reported in adolescents and young adults following vaccination; but these are mostly isolated reports. Conclusions: Further investigation is needed to establish whether there is indeed a cause-and-effect relationship in the development of vaccine-related adverse effects. However, to date, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for children and adolescents older than 12 years of age. However, this question is still under debate and involves ethical, political, and social issues.