Vaccination against COVID-19 — risks and benefits in children

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2024年1月2日

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Alasdair P. S. Munro,
Christine E. Jones,
Saul N. Faust

摘要

Abstract

Countries in Europe and around the world have taken varying approaches to their policies on COVID-19 vaccination for children. The low risk of severe illness from COVID-19 means that even small risks from vaccination warrant careful consideration. Vaccination appears to result in a decreased risk of severe illness including the paediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome known to be associated with COVID-19. These risks have already decreased significantly with the emergence of the Omicron variant and its subvariants, and due to widespread population immunity through previous infection. There is a relatively high risk of myocarditis following second doses of mRNA vaccines in adolescent males, although the general course of this condition appears mild.

Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination only provides a transient reduction in transmission. Currently, insufficient evidence exists to determine the impact of vaccination on post-acute COVID syndromes in children, which are uncommon.

What is Known:

• Vaccines against COVID-19 have significantly reduced morbidity and mortality around the world.

• Whilst countries have universally recommended vaccines for adults and continue to recommend them for vulnerable populations, there has been more variability in recommendations for children.

What is New:

• In the setting of near universal existing immunity from infection, the majority of the initial benefit in protecting against severe illness has been eroded.

• The risks of myocarditis following mRNA vaccination for children is low, but an important consideration given the modest benefits.