Routine SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for all children.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Vaccinology
• Public Health

Background:

• The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic caused significant global health and economic disruption.
• While children often experience milder COVID-19 than adults, severe outcomes like multisystem inflammatory syndrome and hospitalization occur, leading to over 1500 pediatric deaths.
• Increasingly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants have led to a rise in infections among younger children, necessitating a focus on pediatric vaccination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis compared to adults.
• To analyze data on the immunogenicity and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in pediatric populations.
• To highlight the advantages of administering SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in early life.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis.
• Analysis of published data on vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy in children.
• Synthesis of evidence supporting early life vaccination strategies.

Main Results:

• Children can develop severe COVID-19 complications, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome.
• SARS-CoV-2 vaccines demonstrate immunogenicity and efficacy in school-aged children.
• Vaccination in early life is associated with reduced risk of severe disease and complications.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is a vital strategy to protect children from severe disease and complications.
• Understanding pediatric-specific disease dynamics and vaccine responses is essential for public health.
• Early life vaccination contributes to controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the community.