European Pediatric Societies and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 vaccination in children under age 12 years: a different path in England?

Abstract

To the Editor: The European Pediatric Societies' viewpoint regarding ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Vaccination of Children Under 12 Years Old Amid Return to School and the Surge in Virus Variants' presents an interesting contrast with the path taken in England and Wales in June to September 2021.1Pettoello-Mantovani M. Carrasco-Sanz A. Huss G. Mestrovic J. Vural M. Pop L.T. et al.Viewpoint of the European Pediatric Societies over severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination in children younger than age 12 years amid return to school and the surging virus variants.J Pediatr. 2021; 239: 250-251.e2Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (12) Google Scholar, 2The MHRA concludes positive safety profile for Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds.www.gov.uk/government/news/the-mhra-concludes-positive-safety-profile-for-pfizerbiontech-vaccine-in-12-to-15-year-oldsGoogle Scholar, 3The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice.www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-issues-advice-on-covid-19-vaccination-of-children-and-young-peopleGoogle Scholar, 4Gargano J.W. Wallace M. Hadler S.C. Langley G. Su J.R. Oster M.E. et al.Use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after reports of myocarditis among vaccine recipients: update from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, June 2021.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021; 70: 977-982Crossref PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar, 5Public Health England Coronavirus statistics.https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/cases?areaType=nation&areaName=EnglandGoogle Scholar On June 4, 2021, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in children aged 12-15 years.2The MHRA concludes positive safety profile for Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds.www.gov.uk/government/news/the-mhra-concludes-positive-safety-profile-for-pfizerbiontech-vaccine-in-12-to-15-year-oldsGoogle Scholar By July 19, when all social controls related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) precautions were relaxed in England, including within schools, guidance was issued against vaccination in healthy 12- to 15-year-olds.3The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice.www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-issues-advice-on-covid-19-vaccination-of-children-and-young-peopleGoogle Scholar Because of a greater risk of severe COVID-19, children under 18 years were vaccinated if they had underlying health conditions or were living with an at-risk family member.3The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice.www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-issues-advice-on-covid-19-vaccination-of-children-and-young-peopleGoogle Scholar By August 4, there was a recommendation for a first dose of vaccine for all 16- to 17-year-olds, whether or not they had underlying health conditions.3The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice.www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-issues-advice-on-covid-19-vaccination-of-children-and-young-peopleGoogle Scholar However, although there were concerns about the rare side effect of vaccine myocarditis, by September 13, a first dose of the vaccine was offered to all children aged 12-15 years.4Gargano J.W. Wallace M. Hadler S.C. Langley G. Su J.R. Oster M.E. et al.Use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after reports of myocarditis among vaccine recipients: update from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, June 2021.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021; 70: 977-982Crossref PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar As of September 19, weekly case rates have increased to 495 per 100 000 in 5- to 9-year-olds, and to 1021 per 100 000 in 10- to 14-year-olds.5Public Health England Coronavirus statistics.https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/cases?areaType=nation&areaName=EnglandGoogle Scholar In the 15- to 19-year-old age group in the same week, cases have decreased to 495 per 100 000; there was rapid vaccine uptake in 16- and 17-year-olds, with 65% having received a first dose. The vaccine is yet to be approved in 5- to 11-year-olds, and we wonder about the implications on the state of child health in England and Wales in the coming months. With more than 80% of adults vaccinated against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, what is the European Pediatric Societies' view about the presence of low rates of severe COVID-19 disease amongst healthy children, and whether there are convincing health benefits of COVID-19 vaccination for children themselves? ReplyThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 241PreviewWe thank Dr Brown for her interest in our commentary regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination in children under the age of 12 years and for sharing the epidemiological data relating to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in England and Wales. Dr Brown reported a contrast with the path taken by England and Wales in recent months compared with other European areas. Full-Text PDF Viewpoint of the European Pediatric Societies over Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Vaccination in Children Younger Than Age 12 Years Amid Return to School and the Surging Virus VariantsThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 239PreviewSince its first appearance in the Wuhan region of China in December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a worldwide public health and socioeconomic crisis.1 According to the World Health Organization Coronavirus (COVID-19) dashboard, as of September 2021, there have been more than 217 million confirmed cases and 4.5 million deaths reported.2 Mass vaccination campaigns against SARS-CoV-2 are ongoing worldwide. Currently, 5.38 billion doses have been administered globally, 39.9% of the world population has received at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and approximately 40 million are administered each day. Full-Text PDF