Vaccination of children: the Academy of Medicine limits it to children at risk

As the fifth wave of the Covid-19 epidemic spreads in Europe, should we follow in the footsteps of the United States and Israel by authorizing the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11? In a press release published on November 15, 2021, the National Academy of Medicine spoke out on the subject and believes that for the moment, in France, it should be limited to those at risk in this age group.

Vaccination of children: recommendations of the Academy of Medicine

“In France, the benefits / risks of vaccination of children against Covid-19 cannot be modeled on those taken into account in foreign countries, both individually and collectively.”, She judges. Interviewed by Franceinfo, Professor Alain Fischer, chairman of the Vaccine Strategy Orientation Council, explained that in the United States, “the problem of Covid in children is more important, there are more children affected and more severe forms, probably due to co-morbidities such as obesity which greatly affect children”.

Thus, keeping in mind the objective of doing “increase the vaccination coverage rate of the population above 90% [le taux actuel étant de 75%, NDLR], considered necessary to control the circulation of the Delta variant”, The Academy of Medicine offers reserve vaccination for children who:

• are “at risk of serious forms due to comorbidities, whatever their age, as well as to other children living in their family and school environment” ;
• live “in the entourage of vulnerable adults, especially the immunocompromised and people with chronic diseases”.

Immunization of children: arguments for and against

Moreover, according to her, “additional elements“Must be brought”to confirm the good tolerance of the vaccine in children”Before extending vaccination to all children aged 5 to 11 years. Indeed, among the arguments against vaccination in this population, the Academy notes the low number of children recruited in clinical trials which makes detection difficult “possible severe and rare adverse events”. But also the rarity of severe forms of Covid-19 in healthy children as well as “the ethical principle that immunization of children […] must not be used, to achieve collective immunity, to compensate for the refusal of vaccination of certain adults”.

On the other hand, among the arguments for: the fact that the vaccine is more than 90% effective in this population and that it can potentially reduce the circulation of the virus in the family circle as well as in educational establishments primary, “avoiding class closures, learning delays and social and economic costs for families”.

Vaccination of children: no decision before the end of the year

Questioned by TF1 on November 10, the Minister of Health Olivier Véran affirmed that he “there will be no decision before the very end of the year or the beginning of the year 2022”:“The European Medicines Authority will tell us transparently whether the risk-benefit ratio of vaccination in 5-11 year olds justifies authorizing it or not. Subsequently, the French authorities will be called upon to analyze the risks and benefits of such vaccination.”