Covid-19 is a virus that can cause flu-like symptoms, but it’s not as serious as the common cold. Under-12s are more at risk for catching Covid-19 because they haven’t been exposed to it before and their immune system isn’t fully developed yet. This article will show you some reassuring facts about Covid-19 so that you don’t worry too much!
In July Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 12-15.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) subsequently recommended kids in this age group with underlying chronic medical conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and kids living in remote communities should be prioritized.
We’re expecting advice from ATAGI as to whether the rollout should be extended to all 12 to 15-year-olds, as countries like the United States and Canada have done.
But where does that leave children under 12? We know they’re making up a large proportion of new infections in Australia’s current outbreaks, which was not the case last year.
Do they need to be vaccinated? What are the benefits of vaccinating children, both for the child and the community? And how will we know the vaccines are safe and effective for young children?
COVID in kids
Throughout the pandemic, fortunately, we’ve seen children are very unlikely to get severely unwell or die from COVID-19.
Australian data from January 1 to August 1 this year show 2.5 percent of children aged up to nine and 2.9 percent of children and teenagers aged 10-19 who contracted COVID were hospitalized. This is compared to 7.7 percent of young adults aged 20-29, with the rates continuing to increase with age.
Cases are on the rise among children in New South Wales, but to date, this hasn’t been accompanied by a large increase in pediatric hospitalizations.
Recent data show increased rates of hospitalization among children in the US with COVID-19 compared to last year, alongside rising infections with the Delta variant.
But even though the rate has gone up, it remains low. In children and adolescents aged 17 and under the rate is 0.38 per 100,000 people, well below the rate in adults aged 60 to 69 (5.63 per 100,000) and those over 70 (8.07 per 100,000).
However, some kids who have chronic medical conditions are at a higher risk of getting really sick from COVID, which is why ATAGI has listed them as a priority group.
One of the complications of COVID-19 is ‘long COVID’, where a person experiences lasting symptoms such as breathlessness, anxiety, and ‘brain fog’ (reductions in attention and concentration).
Reassuringly, a recent study found only a small proportion of children had symptoms beyond four weeks after their initial COVID infection, and almost all children had recovered by eight weeks.
Medical doctor applying medicine inhalation treatment on a little baby girl by the mask of inhaler
So what are the benefits of vaccinating kids?
While the Delta variant is more infectious than other strains of the coronavirus, and more kids are becoming infected, there’s not a scientific consensus at this stage that it’s causing more severe disease in children.
That said, a small minority will get sicker than others and need hospital care.
If vaccines are found to be safe and effective for younger children there would be benefits in protecting the individual child. Another model has suggested vaccinating younger children and adolescents will be important if Australia is to reach the elusive ‘herd immunity.
Trials are underway
Clinical trials of the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna in children aged 12 and up have shown good results (though at this stage Moderna is only approved in Australia for adults).
Before we move to vaccinate children under 12 we’ll need safety and efficacy data from trials in this age group.
It’s important to conduct clinical trials specifically in children because their immune systems are different. For example, children may experience different side effects following vaccination and may need a smaller dose.
Trials of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in younger children are underway. The Moderna trial, KidCOVE, is currently recruiting in the US. So far close to 7,000 kids are enrolled.
Meanwhile, Pfizer is aiming to enroll 4,500 children under 12 across the US and other countries.
What now?
You may be wondering when children under 12 will be able to be vaccinated. The short answer is we don’t know for sure.
We need strong safety and efficacy data from the clinical trials before considering vaccinating young children. Currently, it’s anticipated the first data on children younger than 12 may be available for review later this year.
For now, though, it’s reassuring to know children still appear less likely to end up in hospital with COVID compared to adults. Further, it seems many of the cases we’re seeing in children are due to transmission in the household, often from an infected adult to the child.
So the best way to protect younger kids, for now, is to ensure as many adults as possible are fully vaccinated.
High vaccine coverage in the community will also benefit children by reducing the need for lockdowns and school closures, which we know can have negative effects on their education, socialization, and mental health.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it is expected that the clinical trials will have more information on whether or not vaccines are safe and effective in children under 12 by 2019. In the meantime, parents can do their part to keep kids safe from COVID-19 by encouraging everyone they know over 12 years of age to get vaccinated against this virus.
