“After the current vaccination campaign in Israel ends, it will be necessary to vaccinate children as well – otherwise we will not reach true herd immunity,” said Prof. Shai Ashkenazi, an expert in pediatrics and infectious diseases and former chairman of the Israeli Pediatric Association.
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Prof. Shai Ashkenazi, former chairman of the Association of Pediatricians. “Many of the children who become infected with corona are asymptomatic, but they are contagious” (Photo: PR)
In an interview with Roni Linder from The Marker, another Prof. Ashkenazi said: “Since we will not vaccinate children in the first stage and it is still not certain how many young people will be vaccinated after allowing all age groups to be vaccinated, we will not reach full herd immunity. Children in Israel are a third of the population. High – so even after the current vaccination campaign there will still be a possibility of infection among the unvaccinated, although the risk of this will be lower and there will be some environmental protection. “
He added: “Today we know for sure that ‘Modern’ vaccines protect at a very high rate – 95% – against the corona virus, but we do not know if the vaccine prevents asymptomatic transmission and the possibility of infection. Of course vaccines are less contagious, but the special and challenging thing about this corona is: That people without any symptoms are still contagious. “
Children are not allowed to be vaccinated at this time because the vaccine is only approved for those aged 16 and over. Many of the children who become infected in the corona are asymptomatic, but they are contagious, Prof. Ashkenazi noted. “The conclusion is that even after we vaccinate most of the elderly and adults, we can not stop using masks or hug children indefinitely, but it will certainly be a relief and it will be possible to open different jobs and industries.”
Commenting on Prof. Nachman Ash’s remarks made yesterday (Tuesday) in an interview with 103FM radio, in which he estimated that within two months it would also be possible to vaccinate 16-12 year olds, Prof. Ashkenazi said: “Pfizer is currently conducting experiments on children at these ages. The younger children will be asked if it is at all ethical to give them a placebo, a placebo, when there is already an effective and proven vaccine. “
He estimated that mediation studies would be conducted among younger children: “They will take a group of children, give them the vaccine and test their antibody level and immune response compared to adults. Children and adolescents are expected to respond well to the vaccine at least as much as adults and even more.”