The immunization of the pediatric population against SARS-CoV-2 must be promoted as soon as possible in Brazil from the perspective of doctor Gustavo Volpe, technical director of the State Hospital of Serrana, located in the countryside of São Paulo.
During discussion tables realized at the CoronaVac Symposium, the doctor evaluated that the collected data in Serrana revealed that each vaccinated age group could observe a high susceptibility of younger people, that were not immunized, to contract the new coronavirus. “The studies of Chile and China are solid to verify the safety of vaccination in children. It has to be promoted as soon as possible”, said Volpe. He highlighted another motivation to vaccinate this population: the smaller kids encounter some difficulties to follow sanitary measurements, like using the gel alcohol and mask.
The coordinator of the State Plan of Immunization (PEI) of São Paulo, Regiane Cardoso de Paula, shares the same opinion. “This is what PEI and the parents, grandparents and responsible ones expect the most. The more age groups immunized, smaller the circulation of the virus will be”, said the immunologist. “We are losing the opportunity if we do not vaccinate this age group”. China was the first country to vaccinate the pediatric population, from three to 11 years of age. Chile, Ecuador, Indonesia, Camboja e Colombia authorized the immunization with CoronaVac on children as well.
Another encouraging data spoken of during the discussion table was that in Serrana the CoronaVac had the same efficacy level as in the population above 60 years of age as in the younger ones. In Gustavo Volpe’s perspective, the satisfying results were thanks to the acceptance of the local population in being vaccinated, which was higher than expected. “We did not encounter any difficulties during the booster dose as well. The CoronaVac was well-accepted, with high vaccination coverage”, said the researcher.
That and other information can be observed until Thursday (9) at the CoronaVac Symposium, from 8h to 11h (BRT time zone). In the afternoon, at 15h, there will be new discussion tables with the main researchers of Butantan and renowned names of nacional scientific difusion to comment and rebound the main themes spoken of during the morning sessions.
The international online event will have live broadcast, with simultaneous translation and counted with the work of an extensive team from Instituto Butantan to organize and release news in real time.
