COVID-19 vaccine in children

by

Now that vaccines targeting acute respiratory respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are gaining more public access, the administration of these vaccines to children is an important step in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Early vaccine development in COVID-19 pandemic disease has occurred in parallel with concomitant production.1 This process was initiated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine.2 Although this process was much faster than expected in traditional timelines, every effort was made to ensure the safety and efficacy of these vaccines – just as would be expected with any vaccine or medical product.

The director of the FDA’s Center for Biological Assessment and Research (CBER), Peter Marks, MD, PhD, said in an interview that the FDA shortened vaccine timelines “without compromising the safety and efficacy of vaccines . “3 Although the timeline was accelerated, the process was not significantly different in terms of studies and revision of data by independent scientists conducted with any vaccine. The whole review process was transparent, and there have been a number of public meetings where safety and effectiveness have been addressed and confirmed. Business data is also available to the public. In addition, postoperative monitoring is ongoing for clinical trial participants. The vaccines introduced into the community are safe, and all COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are highly effective in preventing COVID-19 and building protection.4

But – like any vaccine or medical product – now that we are seeing the benefits in adults with the COVID-19 vaccine, the next question many are asking is: when should we start the vaccine children? Early in the pandemic ethical issues were raised with the COVID-19 vaccine in minors – particularly waiting until safety and efficacy were established in adults.5 However, waiting too long was also thought to delay the potential benefits of a vaccine for the individual and the community. Many authors such as Mintz et al have called for a systematic approach to the safest way to enroll pediatric patients in COVID-19 vaccine trials.5

There is a definite need for vaccines in the child population. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association have been working together to collect COVID-19 data on pediatric patients.6 The currently available data are encouraging, as COVID-19-related hospitalization and mortality are uncommon in pediatric patients. However, a rare but serious health condition in the pediatric population known as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is still under investigation and causing concern.7

Although COVID-19 cases are declining, there are still millions of children who have been positive for COVID-19. As well as the dangers to children themselves, these diseases are dangerous when they are spread to others. There are also financial implications for considering this pandemic in local communities. Quarantines and social isolation alone have caused severe economic impacts around the world, and local school districts are no longer immune to these effects.8

The CDC Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices (ACIP) meets regularly to provide updates on a number of vaccine-related issues, but for months now, the need for COVID vaccine testing has been called for -19 pediatric.9 Moderna has started testing its vaccine in children from 6 months to 12 years.10 Pfizer-BioNTech has vaccine tests that are currently being performed in adolescents.11 Johnson & Johnson is expected to follow suit, and trial investigators have already begun vaccinating the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in children 6 years and older.12 The Moderna study is being conducted in collaboration with the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and so far the process has been as transparent as the initial development of a vaccine.

Getting as many vaccines around the world as possible is a key goal – and it is important that we get to a point where vaccines are available to all patients, especially those in the world. pediatric population. The COVID-19 vaccines available to date are safe and effective, and childhood immunization will be an important step in continuing the fight against this pandemic.

Eevar B Rossavik, DO, is a senior child resident who will soon join the faculty of his program to become a pediatrician in attendance. He has a particular interest in allergy, asthma, and immunology.

Clinicians and experts interested in responding to this piece, or submitting their own articles to HCPLive, can contact the editorial team here.

References

  1. Kamidani S, Rostad CA, Anderson EJ. Development of the COVID-19 vaccine: a pediatric view. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2021; 33 (1): 144-151. doi: 10.1097 / MOP.000000000000000978
  2. Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for business: emergency use permit for vaccines to prevent COVID-19. February 2021. (https://www.fda.gov/media/142749/download).
  3. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/covid-19-vaccines-dive-deep-emergency-use-authorization
  4. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html
  5. Mintz K, Jardas E, Shah S, Grady C, Danis M, Wendler D. Enrolling young children in COVID-19 vaccine trials. Pediatrics. 2021; 147 (3): e2020040717. doi: 10.1542 / peds.2020-040717
  6. Children and COVID-19: State Level Data Report – https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/children-and-covid-19-state-level-report -data /
  7. MISC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/children/mis-c.html
  8. Brookings- https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2020/04/09/how-the-coronavirus-shutdown-will-affect-school-district-revenues/
  9. Experts provide update on COVID-19 ‘essential’ vaccine tests in children, teens -https: //www.aappublications.org/news/2021/01/27/acip-covid-vaccine-pediatric-trials- 012721
  10. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/16/health/moderna-vaccine-children.html
  11. https://www.aappublications.org/news/2021/03/16/moderna-covid-trials-children-031621
  12. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56052673

.Source