The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) released this Tuesday (28) a technical note that highlights the importance of vaccination against the Covid-19 in children aged between five and 11 years.
In the document, the Foundation states that immunization in this age group is essential to prevent hospitalizations and deaths from the disease, in addition to reducing the transmission of the virus.
In view of the advancement of the Ômicron variant in several countries, the Fiocruz emphasizes that there is a concern with the transmission of the new strain, especially in unvaccinated individuals, which makes children under 12 years of age a major target for this and other variants of concern.
Another point highlighted in the note is in relation to the full return to school activities.
“Although children get sick less from Covid-19 and less often develop severe forms of the disease, they transmit the virus in the school community and beyond.
The vaccination of children, therefore, presents itself as a robust alternative to guarantee the continuity of the in-person school offer”, says an excerpt of the document.
On the last 16th, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) approved the immunizing agent of Pfizer for children aged five and over. The authorization took place after tests and clinical trials were carried out at different stages and the use of the vaccine in people of that age, in other countries.
The Foundation also emphasizes that adverse post-vaccine events are rare and less frequent than the risk of complications from the virus. US U.S, the most recent indicators reveal that about 5 million children between 5 and 11 years of age have already been immunized, without significant adverse events.
No Brazil, until December 4, nearly 20,000 people under 19 years old with a positive diagnosis for Covid-19 had been hospitalized.
Meanwhile, in the age group of children under 1 year of age, 5,126 cases of hospitalization for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SRAG) were reported by Covid-19, from 1 to 5 years there were 5,378 cases and from 6 to 19 years, 9,396 cases.
Regarding deaths, 1,422 deaths by SARS were reported, confirmed by Covid-19. Of these, 418 were under one year of age, 208 victims were up to five years old, and 796 were between six to 19 years old.
Recall the key health facts in 2021
Reference: CNN Brasil
