The hospitalization rate of children up to 12 years old with Covid-19 in ICUs in the state of Rio de Janeiro grew 850% in January, when compared to December last year, according to the State Health Department. six to 12 years were admitted to intensive care beds. In the first month of 2022, the number jumped to 57.
The SES also identified a 440% increase in general hospitalizations for Covid-19 of children under 12 years old, from 25 to 135 records. The data includes infirmary and intensive care beds. There was also an increase in general hospitalizations, including adults and children. It jumped from 516 in December to 2,634 in January: 410%.
The data on children reinforces the need to advance vaccination in the age group from 5 to 11 years. Currently, in the state capital, there are 29% of children of this age vaccinated with the first dose. For infectious disease specialist José Pozza Junior, from UniRio, the number of hospitalized patients, although alarming, was already expected.
“The last group contemplated with (infant) vaccination would be the most exposed. Those who are not vaccinated end up developing a condition that is sometimes more severe, despite the fact that most of them are asymptomatic or have little or no symptoms. As the number of infected children is large, it impacts this type of hospitalization. In the public network, lacking specialized ICU beds for children, any increase in demand impacts adequate care”, explains Pozza.
During the official agenda this Friday (4), Mayor Eduardo Paes (PSD) said he will prioritize the advancement of vaccination in children to increase the number of vaccinated.
“The municipal network is already actively searching for those who have a late dose. Now, they are going to make an active search for children and, mainly, for the children’s parents to convince them about the importance of vaccination”, said the mayor.
The municipality, however, will not charge a vaccination passport for young people. The rationale is that children cannot be held responsible for their parents’ misguided views.
This increase in hospitalizations among children and adolescents is not just part of the reality of Rio de Janeiro. As of January 20, the CNN Agency reported that at least six states had recorded an increase in hospitalizations of children under 17 years of age between the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022. However, no increase came close to that recorded in Rio de Janeiro.
Source: CNN Brasil
