How to protect my child against omikron? What you need to know about the child corona vaccine
The corona numbers are rising. Some parents are unsure whether they should vaccinate their children.
The permanent vaccination commission (stiko) generally recommends vaccinating children between the ages of twelve and 17 with biontech’s mrna vaccine. For younger children there is no general recommendation yet.
Severe side effects after vaccination are extremely rare in children and adolescents, according to current findings. We answer important questions.
corona case numbers in germany reach all-time highs. On Thursday, for the first time, the health authorities reported to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) that more than 200 people had been.000 new infections within 24 hours. At the same time, the vaccination rate is stagnating.
Many children and adolescents in particular are not yet immunized. Of the 4.5 million children and adolescents between the ages of twelve and 17, 58.1 percent are fully vaccinated. Only eight percent of children over the age of five are vaccinated. Many parents are uncertain about whether to have their children vaccinated. We tell you what you need to know about the children’s vaccination against corona.
is there a compulsory vaccination for children?
In germany there are no general obligation to vaccinate against the coronavirus. This applies to adults as well as children and adolescents. Even among the proposals for a general vaccination requirement currently under discussion, there are none that include children and adolescents. Parents are therefore free to decide together with their child whether they want to have him or her vaccinated. It is always advisable to talk to your doctor before a planned vaccination.
Child vaccination from the age of twelve: what applies??
the permanent vaccination commission (stiko) recommends that all children and adolescents under the age of twelve to 17 years a corona vaccination with the mrna vaccine from biontech. The vaccine from moderna, on the other hand, has only been recommended by the stiko for persons over 30 years of age since november 2021. Because current data show a slightly higher risk of myocarditis or pericarditis after vaccination with the moderna vaccine in younger people than with biontech’s vaccine.
Child vaccination under the age of five: what is valid??
In addition, stiko recommends for children from five years a vaccination, if there are pre-existing conditions, increasing the risk of a severe covid progression. The corona vaccination is also recommended for children "in whose environment there are relatives or other contacts with a high risk of a severe covid 19 course, who cannot be vaccinated themselves or in whom there is a reasonable suspicion of insufficient protection after vaccination".
What side effects can occur in children?
children and adolescents may also experience typical vaccine reactions such as pain at the injection site, lethargy and fever occur. In most cases, however, the side effects disappear after a few days without any consequences. Twelve- to 15-year-olds experience symptoms similar to those of 16- to 25-year-olds.
With regard to side effects in children under twelve years of age, the federal ministry of health writes: "to date, the corona vaccine from biontech for children between five and eleven years of age has not been no serious side effects known. In the pivotal study, many children had transient vaccine reactions lasting one to two days, especially after the second shot. Often this was pain at the injection site, headaches and fatigue. Some also had redness or swelling around the injection site. In addition, some children developed fever, diarrhea, chills, and muscle and joint pain."the paul ehrlich institute reported in detail on individual cases of severe side effects that could not be clearly attributed to a vaccination.
How often does myocarditis occur after a childhood vaccination??
Rare cases of heart muscle inflammation occurred in boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 17 mainly 14 days after the second vaccine dose, according to the health ministry. Among youngsters, the figure was around one percent 4.81 cases per 100.000 vaccinations higher than among girls with 0.49 falls at 100.000 vaccinations. The course of the disease is usually mild under inpatient treatment. the risk of heart muscle disease is also higher after a covid 19 infection than after a vaccination.
A U.S. study also shows that the corona vaccine from biontech hardly causes any serious side effects in children. the u.s. health agency CDC has analyzed data from 8.7 million vaccinations with the mrna vaccine for children and recorded only twelve cases of myocarditis. None of these twelve children had to be hospitalized.
Where can I have my child vaccinated against corona??
the ministry of health promises sufficient vaccine for the younger age groups. Parents can therefore make an appointment for the vaccination with their local doctor pediatricians, adolescents or family doctors agree. However, vaccination is also possible in the vaccination center or at local vaccination campaigns possible. Parents can find out in advance on the information pages or from the municipalities about the corresponding offers.
you should always have the following ready at the vaccination appointment:
- The child’s identification card or child ID card
- The child’s vaccination certificate (or a replacement certificate)
- A protective mask
You should also find out about your child’s medical history so you can talk to the doctor about possible risks. children and adolescents are vaccinated twice with biontech’s mrna vaccine, at intervals of three to six weeks. The injection is administered in the upper arm. Full vaccine protection is usually achieved 14 days after the second dose. The vaccination is free of charge for all.
Can my child do sports after vaccination?
To avoid side effects, it is recommended to take it easy for a few days or up to a week after the vaccination. Strong exertion and sports should therefore be avoided. However, minor strains are possible again after only a few days. It is important to pay attention to the child’s condition and to take appropriate measures.
Who is liable for damage to health caused by childhood vaccination??
There is a short answer to this question: the state. According to the law on the protection against infection, the following is regulated. For all damage to health as a result of a corona vaccination with an approved vaccine, there is a liability of a nationwide entitlement to compensation. The entitlement is independent of the public recommendations of the state authorities. The corona vaccination therefore represents a special case. A corresponding amendment to the Infectious Diseases Protection Act was made at the end of 2020.
This means that anyone who has vaccinated their child under the age of twelve in contravention of the stiko recommendation, even though there is no pre-existing illness or other condition, is still entitled to compensation in the event of vaccine damage. The however, state liability does not apply to off-label vaccinations – that is, in the case of vaccinations under five years of age. No vaccine has yet been approved for this age group.
When are children considered to have been vaccinated??
It is then spoken of a vaccination damage, if the consequences beyond the usual vaccination reactions. Temporary pain at the injection site, headaches or fever therefore do not count as vaccine injuries. Whether a vaccination damage is present, must always be clarified in the individual case. The pension offices in the federal states are responsible for this.
Since temporary health complaints are not taken into account according to the federal health care act, there must usually be at least six months between the vaccination and the assessment. However, it does not matter whether the symptoms were already known as possible side effects beforehand. You do not lose any claim if a doctor has informed you and you have consented to the vaccination.
Doctors, on the other hand, are liable if they have made a clear mistake during the vaccination process. This includes, for example, the wrong dosage or a wrong injection site. However, anyone who has given the vaccine properly, has been informed about the side effects and damage, and has the patient’s consent does not have to fear liability.
when does the stiko recommend covid 19 booster vaccination for children and adolescents?
stiko recommends that all children between twelve and seventeen years of age a booster vaccination with biontech’s vaccine. No recommendation has yet been made for all younger children. Here, parents should decide individually with the respective doctor whether a booster vaccination should be given to the child.