SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in children and adolescents: Can immunization prevent hospitalization?

Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 101174817 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1728-7731 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 17264901 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Chin Med Assoc Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: 2019- : [Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands] : Wolters Kluwer Health
Original Publication: Taipei, Taiwan : Chinese Medical Association, c2003-

COVID-19*/prevention & control ; COVID-19 Vaccines*/adverse effects; Adolescent ; BNT162 Vaccine ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Nucleocapsid Proteins ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Troponin ; Vaccination ; Viral Vaccines

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants of concern can infect people of all ages and can cause severe diseases in children, such as encephalitis, which require intensive care. Therefore, vaccines are urgently required to prevent severe disease in all age groups. We reviewed the safety and efficacy profiles of mRNA vaccines-BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273-demonstrated by clinical trials or observed in the real world. mRNA-1273 is effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in preschool children (6 months-6 years old). Both BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 are effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in school-aged children and adolescents, thereby preventing post-coronavirus disease (COVID) conditions. The common side effects of vaccination are pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headache. Myocarditis and pericarditis are uncommon. Monitoring post-vaccination troponin levels may help prevent severe cardiac events. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus mutates its genome to overcome the herd immunity provided by mass vaccinations; therefore, we may need to develop new generations of vaccines, such as those using viral nucleocapsid proteins as antigens. In conclusion, the mRNA vaccines are generally safe and effective in preventing severe diseases and hospitalization among children and adolescents.
Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: Dr Shih-Hwa Chiou, an editorial board member at Journal of the Chinese Medical Association , had no role in the peer review process of or decision to publish this article. The other authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest related to the subject matter or materials discussed in this article.
(Copyright © 2022, the Chinese Medical Association.)

Comment in: J Chin Med Assoc. 2023 Mar 1;86(3):345. (PMID: 36194165)

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0 (COVID-19 Vaccines)
0 (Nucleocapsid Proteins)
0 (Troponin)
0 (Viral Vaccines)
N38TVC63NU (BNT162 Vaccine)

Date Created: 20220711 Date Completed: 20220928 Latest Revision: 20230727

20231215

10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000774

35816282