What is the risk for children of getting infected with COVID-19? What will the illness be like for them if they get infected?
According to the latest research, children are somewhat less likely to contract the coronavirus. However, studies are ongoing. It is very rare for an otherwise healthy child (with no chronic underlying condition) to develop a severe form of the disease. The virus typically takes a mild form in children, similar to a cold.
For more information, visit: https://www.zusammengegencorona.de/faqs/spezifische-personengruppen/kinder-und-die-pandemie/#id-b2d3ac6e-ca62-5afa-bfa6-beaf6f9d573b
From what age can children get vaccinated?
After weighing up all the data currently available, Germany’s Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) published a vaccination recommendation on 17 December 2021 for children aged 5 to 11 with underlying conditions. Vaccination against the coronavirus is also recommended for children who are in contact with people who are at high risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19 and who cannot be protected fully or only inadequately by being vaccinated themselves (such as those with compromised immune systems).
Important: Children without an underlying medical condition or who are in contact with those at high risk can also be vaccinated against COVID-19 after receiving the relevant medical information, if this is the individual wish of the parents or children.
For more information about this, see the website of the Federal Ministry of Health:https://www.zusammengegencorona.de/corona-im-alltag/kinder-und-familien/corona-schutzimpfung-fuer-kinder-ab-5-jahren-warum-sich-auch-kinder-im-alter/
To read the complete STIKO vaccination recommendation, visit: https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Archiv/2022/Ausgaben/01_22.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
Why should children aged 12 or older get vaccinated against COVID-19?
Coronavirus vaccination provides children aged 12 and older with safe, effective protection against severe illness from COVID-19. In addition, vaccination can also lessen the indirect effects of COVID-19, such as reduced participation in social and cultural activities for children and teenagers. Also, vaccination not only protects the health of your own child, but also that of other children and the people around you. This is because the more children who are vaccinated in the younger age groups, where there is a particularly high level of social contact, the more difficult it is for the virus to spread. And this, in turn, also protects those who cannot get vaccinated – such as babies and young children under the age of 5, for whom there is not yet an approved vaccine.
For more information, visit: https://www.zusammengegencorona.de/impfen/kinder/corona-schutzimpfung-ab-12-jahren-welche-kinder-sich-impfen-lassen-sollten/
Do children receive the same vaccine as adults?
Children aged 5 to 11 are given the same mRNA vaccine from BioNTech as adults, albeit in a smaller dose. The children’s vaccine only contains 10 micrograms/dose concentrate, which is less than the dose provided to those aged 12 and older (30 micrograms/dose concentrate). To prevent any confusion with the adult vaccine, the children’s vaccine is labelled accordingly. The Standing Committee on Vaccination recommends waiting three to six weeks between doses.
For more information, visit: https://www.zusammengegencorona.de/corona-im-alltag/kinder-und-familien/corona-schutzimpfung-fuer-kinder-ab-5-jahren-warum-sich-auch-kinder-im-alter/
Why should children aged 12 or older get vaccinated against COVID-19?
Coronavirus vaccination provides children aged 12 and older with safe, effective protection against severe illness from COVID-19. In addition, vaccination can also lessen the indirect effects of COVID-19, such as reduced participation in social and cultural activities for children and teenagers. Also, vaccination not only protects the health of your own child, but also that of other children and the people around you. This is because the more children who are vaccinated in the younger age groups, where there is a particularly high level of social contact, the more difficult it is for the virus to spread. And this, in turn, also protects those who cannot get vaccinated – such as babies and young children under the age of 5, for whom there is not yet an approved vaccine.
For more information, visit: https://www.zusammengegencorona.de/impfen/kinder/corona-schutzimpfung-ab-12-jahren-welche-kinder-sich-impfen-lassen-sollten/
Do children receive the same vaccine as adults?
Children aged 5 to 11 are given the same mRNA vaccine from BioNTech as adults, albeit in a smaller dose. The children’s vaccine only contains 10 micrograms/dose concentrate, which is less than the dose provided to those aged 12 and older (30 micrograms/dose concentrate). To prevent any confusion with the adult vaccine, the children’s vaccine is labelled accordingly. The Standing Committee on Vaccination recommends waiting three to six weeks between doses.
For more information, visit: https://www.zusammengegencorona.de/corona-im-alltag/kinder-und-familien/corona-schutzimpfung-fuer-kinder-ab-5-jahren-warum-sich-auch-kinder-im-alter/
What are the potential side effects of the children’s vaccine?
To date, no serious side effects have been identified from the BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for children aged 5 to 11. In the pivotal study, many children had short-term reactions to the vaccine for 1–2 days, particularly after the second shot.
In many cases, this included some pain, redness or even swelling at the injection site, as well as headaches or fatigue. In addition, some children developed fever, diarrhoea, chills, or muscle and joint pain.
Before registering for your child’s vaccination, it is advised that you talk to your paediatrician about the vaccination and enquire about possible side effects.
For more information, visit: https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/coronavirus/faq-covid-19-impfung.html