Vaccines for children between 5 and 11 years against Covid-19 are subjected to the same tests and rigor as immunizations for adults, and are safe and effective, according to the representative of the Brazilian Society of Immunizations (SBIm) and the Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria (SBP), Renato Kfouri.
In an interview with CNN this Thursday (6), the doctor explained that worldwide vaccination already shows that these products are no longer in the phase of clinical studies.
Kfouri highlighted the importance of vaccinating this group against Covid-19 and other diseases, as immunization is not just for preventing deaths, as, in addition to inducing a more lasting and robust immunity, it is a tool to prevent people from suffering from preventable diseases.
“It is not acceptable to lose a child to a preventable disease. There is nothing worse for a pediatrician than losing a child to a preventable disease,” he said.
The first doses of childhood vaccines from Pfizer begin arriving in Brazil on the week of January 10th. There will be 20 million doses delivered by the drugmaker by the end of the first quarter of 2022.
The pediatrician emphasizes that the RNA vaccine is safe for both children and adults, and that the two-month interval between doses is preferable, as the immune system is better prepared for the second application and is able to create stronger protection against the disease.
Furthermore, understanding the logistics of Brazil and the delivery schedule, it is the period necessary for the next doses to arrive and be ready to complete the immunization of children.
Kfouri also commented on the possibility of offering Coronavac for this age group. According to the doctor, this is a vaccine that uses the same “active principle” as other immunizing agents already used in children, which is the inactivated or killed virus, and which could help in the vaccination schedule. The requirement of supplementing documents by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), according to him, shows the “seriousness of the institution”.
Finally, Renato Kfouri said that going back to school should be rethought, due to the large number of infections.
“It’s no use just looking at the vaccination rate, but the transmission rate,” he said. “I don’t think it’s reasonable to have carnivals, cruises and stadiums full of football fans. It is a step backwards in terms of flexibility, but when we made it more flexible, it was always with the exception that if it got worse, we would have to go back. And this is a moment of setback”.
Reference: CNN Brasil
