Specialists warn that there is a lack of pediatric vaccines against Covid-19

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In the middle of historic dengue outbreak that affects all of Argentinainfectious disease doctors warned that adding to this situation is the lack of pediatric vaccines against Covid-19, which leaves children between six months and 12 years old unprotected against a virus that “continues to circulate.”

“Approximately since March 24, there has been a lack of pediatric vaccines against Covid for children under 12 years of age throughout the country. From 12 years of age, vaccines are available,” he explained to C5N.com the infectious disease doctor Florencia Cahn, president of the Argentine Society of Vaccinology and Epidemiology (SAVE).

This translates to “There are no vaccines to vaccinate boys and girls between six months and 11 years.” The specialist stressed that, “although today all eyes are on dengue, Covid is still present, the virus continues to circulate and it is very important to start vaccination schedules.”

“In the case of babies, from six months of age they have an indication to start the scheme. There is also an indication to give booster doses, which in most cases are given once a year,” he said. Regarding the origin of the shortage, she pointed out that “it is not in the private sector” because “the State always buys them.”

covid children

Specialists warn about the lack of pediatric vaccines against Covid.

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Why it is important to vaccinate children against Covid-19

From the Argentine Society of Vaccinology and Epidemiology (SAVE) they explained that the majority of children experience Covid-19 disease asymptomatically or with mild symptoms, but “some of them may have persistent symptoms”, which is known as Covid prolonged or “long Covid”.

“In the case of children with underlying diseases and also those under one year old, they may suffer from severe forms of the disease and require hospitalization.” In that sense, The vaccine reduces the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death.

The pediatric vaccine “is also a way to prevent post-COVID-19 multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS), an exacerbated inflammatory response that can occur in girls and boys without underlying diseases after having had the infection.”