Elisabetta Reginato
COVID-19 vaccination in children: an open question
Campagnani, Giuseppe;Bardanzellu, Flaminia;Fanos, Vassilios;
2021-01-01
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.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.