The COVID-19 vaccination with the Biontech/Pfizer mRNA vaccine protects children and adolescents well with two vaccinations. This also applies to the Omikron variant. American scientists have now been able to prove this in a government-supported study with data up to February 17 of this year – including for the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 – they report in the New England Journal of Medicine.
“BNT162b2 (Biontech/Pfizer/mRNA vaccine; note) reduced the risk of hospitalization for omicron infections by two-thirds in children between the ages of five and 11. Although two doses in adolescents 12 to 18 years of age provided less protection against hospitalization for omicron compared to SARS-CoV-2 delta, vaccination continued to prevent critical disease progression of both virus variants,” wrote Ashley Price and her co-authors in the World’s Most Important Research Report. respected medical journal.
Data from more than 1000 children
With support from the National Centers for Disease Control (CDC/Atlanta/Georgia), the scientists analyzed data from 1,185 children and adolescents with Covid-19 disease. 88 percent of those infected had not received a vaccination. Of the sick, 25 percent (291) had to be treated in intensive care, 14 of the children and adolescents died. The comparison group was 1
627 healthy people with vaccination. The study was conducted using patient information from 31 hospitals in 23 states.
Good effect clearly proven
During the prevalence of the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 (beginning of July 2021 to 18 December 2021), the protection rate among 12- to 18-year-olds against hospitalization after two vaccinations in the period from two to 22 weeks before was 93 percent, ultimately 92 percent in weeks 23 to 44. In this age group, the effectiveness in preventing hospitalizations eventually decreased to 40 percent under the predominance of the omicron variant (December 19, 2021 to February 17, 2022).
However, the young people remained 79 percent protected against life-threatening diseases and 20 percent against any Covid 19 disease. The degree of protection against hospital admissions was better for five- to 11-year-olds with the omicron variant: hospital admissions were 68 percent less frequent than in unvaccinated people.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
