As it is known, in December 2020, mRNA vaccines were authorized for emergency use in adults, and one of them was the Biontech vaccine. In May 2021, two-dose permission was issued for those over the age of 12, and on October 26, an emergency use permit was issued for those aged 5-12. Prof. Dr. Aynur Eren Topkaya, Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology at Yeditepe University Faculty of Medicine, gave important information on the issues that families are curious about, regarding COVID-19 vaccines in children.

Reminding that after the intensive vaccination period of 18-year-old individuals, COVID-19 disease began to be seen frequently in small children, Prof. Dr. Aynur Eren Topkaya, Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology at Yeditepe University Hospitals, said, “It has been reported that COVID-19 disease quadrupled in children aged 5-14 in August-September all over the world, and it is among the top 10 infections that cause the death of children.” 

Hospitalization Rates Are Higher in Children with Chronic Diseases

Stating that the post-COVID syndrome in children, that is, the complications that occur after the disease, is defined in this period, Prof. Dr. Aynur Eren Topkaya said that an increase in the rates of hospitalization due to COVID-19 has been observed especially in children with chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and obesity. Prof. Dr. Topkaya gave the following information:

“With the opening of schools in the autumn months and the increase in other viral infections, COVID-19 started to pose a serious health problem in children. Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 studies of the Biontech vaccine studies have been completed for this age group. And the administration of two doses of the Biontech vaccine, three weeks apart, for the age group of 5-12, was granted emergency use permission.
In Phase 1, efficacy studies were conducted in 49 children and the vaccine was found to be effective. In Phase 2, safety studies were conducted in 1500 children, and it was reported that the Biontech vaccine had no side effects in this age group in the short term and that there were no side effects such as myocarditis and pericarditis in the three months.

It has been reported that the vaccine, of which phase studies have been completed, is safe to be administered between the ages of 5-12 and this age group can tolerate the vaccine very easily. In this way, as of October 26, an emergency use permission was obtained for the age group of 5-12.”