Manifesto of the pediatricians of Emilia-Romagna region, Italy, in favor of vaccination against COVID in children 5–11 years old

Abstract

Background Following the authorization by the regulatory authorities of vaccination against COVID for children aged between 5 and 11, in Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy, the pediatricians of the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP), the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN), the Cultural Association of Pediatrics, the Italian Federation of Pediatricians (FIMP) and the Italian Union of Family Pediatricians (SIMPeF), who work in the hospital and in the territorial setting, have made a univocal and convinced appeal in favor of vaccination also in this age group. Main findings In order to contribute to a conscious choice, on the part of parents, based on exhaustive and correct information, a 24-point manifesto was developed. The manifesto showed that vaccines against COVID are the most effective and safest tool we have to counter the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and vaccination against COVID is a right of children just as it is for adults. Children between 5 and 11 years are not protected from the virus and a large part of the newly infected is this age. Although SARS-CoV-2 infection is certainly more benign in children, in some cases it can cause a serious pathology and long COVID. The stress caused by the pandemic, the prolonged closure of schools and the interruption of sports and recreational activities have had a devastating effect on the mental health of children and on the development of their personality. Vaccinating children against COVID serves to protect them from severe forms of disease and long COVID, allowing them to attend school face-to-face and lead a normal social life. The safety of vaccinatin is very high and vaccines against COVID have no influence on fertility nor can they cause developmental or growth side effects. Conclusions The manifesto highlighted that the vaccine against COVID for children aged between 5 and 11 is effective and safe and represents an extraordinary gift for safeguarding health of the younger ones. The invitation, therefore, to parents is to have their children vaccinated against COVID as early as possible.

The BNT162b2 vaccine induces humoral and cellular immune memory to SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain and the Omicron variant in children 5 to 11 years of age

“…Vaccination is the best strategy to reduce the severity of the disease and limit complications of COVID-19. It has been shown that BNT162b2 vaccination can consistently reduce Omicron-associated hospitalizations in children ( 28 , 41 ) and prevent or reduce the associated complications, such as MIS-C ( 42 ), long COVID ( 43 ), and impairment of social and mental wellbeing ( 44 ).…”

“…The results of this study offer new insights into the humoral and cellular response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in children, useful to support public health decisions on the definition of future vaccination strategies in the pediatric age. Improving knowledge on immune response following vaccination may also help overcome vaccine hesitancy, considering that children, as adults, have the right to be protected from severe disease and COVID-19 complications and sequelae ( 44 ).…”

Year 2022: exploring COVID-19 pandemic in children

“…Researchers agree on the key role of vaccination to prevent Sars Cov2 infection and, most of all, severe disease. According to The manifesto of Pediatricians of Emilia-Romagna region vaccines against COVID are the most effective and safe tool to contrast COVID 19 and for this reason should be considered as a right of children to protect themselves [ 57 ]. Vaccine product-related reactions are seldom reported such as Henoch-Schoenlein purpura reported in an adolescent by Casini et al [ 58 ].…”

Knowledge on Parental Hesitancy toward COVID-19 Vaccination of Children 5–11 Years Old

“…Unfortunately, parents’ willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 has always turned out to be rather low, even lower than their willingness to be vaccinated themselves. In Italy, the intention to accept a COVID-19 vaccine of parents of children <18 years of age was 60.4%, compared to values of 64.5% and 84.1% found in the general population [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Detailed knowledge of parental willingness and hesitancy toward pediatric COVID-19 immunization is essential to understand the reasons for non-vaccination and to prepare adequate measures to improve vaccination coverage.…”