All parents ask themselves the question: should they let their child become infected or is it better to vaccinate them? Do not doubt, it is better to vaccinate him against Covid-19: Futura explains why.
In France, children have the opportunity to get vaccinated against Covid-19. Since December 22, 2021, it is even possible from the age of 5. the vaccine Pfizer-BioNTech, an mRNA vaccine, which is given to children is different from that of adults. The pediatric form is three times less dosed. The child bottle has an orange cap while the adult bottle has a purple cap. Ideally, a serological Trod (Rapid Diagnostic Orientation Test) should be performed to find out if the child has already contracted the Covid-19. If he never had it, two shots are needed at 21-day intervals. Otherwise, a single injection is sufficient.
In view of the contagiousness of the variant Omicron, it now seems illusory to slip through the cracks. All the non-vaccinated will be contaminated in the more or less long term. Legitimately, many parents ask themselves vaccination questions. Is it really necessary when the SARS-CoV-2 causes very few serious forms in children? Isn’t it risky to expose your growing child to the adverse effects of vaccines? Finally, wouldn’t it be better to let it become contaminated and do its immunity all alone ? No, and here’s why.
What are the risks of vaccination in children?
Before getting to the heart of the matter, remember that the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine is 91% effective in prevention from contamination speak variant Delta SARS-CoV-2, the most dangerous variant known to date. Its effectiveness is less but remains significant against the Omicron variant, the currently dominant variant.
Adverse effects of the vaccine are:
- 74% of children reported a pain at injection site
- 39% were tired after the second dose
- 28% experienced headaches after the second dose
Other effects have been reported in a more minority way: swelling and redness at the injection site, muscle pain, chills and fever. All occurred within two days of injection. No serious side effects were reported during the clinical tests. Since themarketing authorization of the vaccine, eight million doses have been injected into 5-11 year olds in the USA and about a hundred cases of serious side effects have been reported, ie 0.00125% of cases. Myocarditis are one of the serious but rare side effects of the vaccine. It’s about a inflammation heart muscle. Eleven cases were reported, i.e. 0.00014% of cases.
What are the risks of SARS-CoV-2 contamination in children?
According to one study, the risk of hospitalization for Covid-19 for unvaccinated children aged 5 to 11 is 0.2%. Among them, 13% were admitted to intensive care. In addition, the risk of having a long form of Covid-19 is 0.7 to 4.6% depending on the source.
Myocarditis can be caused by vaccines but much more frequently by virus. According to this studythe risk of having myocarditis in children under 16 infected with SARS-CoV-2 would be 0.13%.
What should we think ?
In conclusion, the risk of having serious adverse effects as a result of vaccination is 0.00125% while the risk of being hospitalized following a Covid-19 infection is 0.2%, i.e. 150 times higher. Regarding myocarditis in particular, the risk associated with vaccination is 0.00014%, while it is 0.13% after contamination, i.e. 1,000 times higher.
We have heard a lot that vaccinating children protects adults. It’s true, but not only: children have a real individual benefit from being vaccinated, as the CCNE (National Consultative Ethics Committee) pointed out in its opinion of December 16, 2021.
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