recommended for the most fragile children but at the request of the parents it can be given to everyone. Only 35% completed the vaccination cycle
Pfizer’s Comirnaty vaccine updated against Omicron variants 4 and 5 can also be used as a booster for children between 5 and 11 years old. The Ministry of Health has published the circular which implements the opinion of the Medicines Agency (Aifa) giving the green light also for this age group (it was already approved for 12 years and older). The vaccine is recommended for the most fragile children but at the request of the parents it can be offered to everyone. The Aifa Technical-Scientific Commission, in its meeting on 5 December, accepting the opinion expressed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), had already authorized the Original/Omicron BA.4-5 formulation (5/5 micrograms).
35% of children vaccinated
The recommendation of the booster dose is extended for children aged 5-11, who present conditions of fragility such as to expose them to the development of more severe forms of Sars-CoV-2 infection – reads the circular -. Furthermore, taking into account the indication of use authorized by Ema and Aifa, this formulation may also be made available for the recall of children who do not present these conditions, at the request of the parent or whoever has parental authority. Today in Italy only 35% of children aged between 5 and 11 received the complete vaccination course against Covid.
Authorization from 6 months
As for younger children, in October the EMA Committee for medicines for human use recommended extending the use of Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Modern), in the original version against the Wuhan strain, respectively ai children between 6 months and 4 years and between 6 months and 5 years. The two vaccines had already been authorized for use in adults and children aged 5 years (Comirnaty) and 6 years (Spikevax). In children between 6 months and 4 years, Comirnaty it can be given in three doses of 3 micrograms each; the first two doses are given three weeks apart, the third at least 8 weeks after the second. In children between 6 months and 5 years, Spikevax it can be given in two doses (25 micrograms each), given four weeks apart.
January 14, 2023 (change January 14, 2023 | 19:03)
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