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A systematic review of current status and challenges of vaccinating children against SARS-CoV-2
Mengxin Zhang1, Pin Zhang1, Ying Liang1
1Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou 450018, China.
Insights
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for children, with infrequent and mild side effects. Addressing parental hesitancy is crucial for ending the pandemic and protecting children from severe illness and its broader impacts.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic's global impact and the efficacy of adult vaccination.
- Lower COVID-19 vaccination rates in children due to parental safety concerns.
- SARS-CoV-2 risks in children, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) and psychosocial effects.
Approach:
- Review of clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 in children.
- Analysis of the current status of pediatric COVID-19 vaccination.
- Examination of vaccine-related adverse events and pediatric immune responses.
- Discussion of the necessity and challenges of vaccinating children against SARS-CoV-2.
Key Points:
- COVID-19 vaccines demonstrate high immunogenicity and efficacy in adults, slowing variant evolution.
- Children face risks from SARS-CoV-2, including MIS-C and negative impacts on development.
- Pediatric COVID-19 vaccination is essential for pandemic control and child well-being.
- Adverse events in children post-vaccination are rare, mild, and have good prognoses.
Conclusions:
- Parental hesitancy regarding pediatric COVID-19 vaccination is unwarranted.
- The benefits of vaccinating children against SARS-CoV-2 outweigh the minimal risks.
- Widespread pediatric vaccination is vital for societal recovery and maintaining normal social order.
Abstract:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has inflicted immense damage to countries, economies and societies worldwide. Authorized COVID-19 vaccines based on different platforms have been widely inoculated in adults, showing up to 100% immunogenicity with significant efficacy in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections and the occurrence of severe COVID-19. It has also greatly slowed the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants, as shown in clinical trials and real-world evidence. However, the total dosage of COVID-19 vaccines for children is much smaller than that for adults due to limitations from parental concern of vaccine safety, presenting a potential obstacle in ending the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 not only increases the risk of severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in children, but also negatively affects children's psychology and academics, indirectly hindering the maintenance and progress of normal social order. Therefore, this article examines the clinical manifestations of children infected with SARS-CoV-2, the status of vaccination against COVID-19 in children, vaccination-related adverse events, and the unique immune mechanisms of children. In particular, the necessity and challenges of vaccinating children against SARS-CoV-2 were highlighted from the perspectives of society and family. In summary, parental hesitancy is unnecessary as adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination have been proven to be infrequent, comprise of mild symptoms, and have a good prognosis.
