The head of epidemiology at the Canarian Health Service, Amos García, has said that the vaccination of children aged from 5 to 12 “will depend on the seriousness of the pandemic”.
“If we had a high presence of the virus, vaccinating children would increase the amount of people who have been jabbed. But if it’s sustainable and remains at low risk levels, it won’t be necessary because the effect of the virus on young children is minor, nor does it affect transmission to adults,” said García.
“Right now, it’s more important to do it in Guinea Conakry,” said García, referring to low levels of vaccination in developing countries.
The Canarian Health Service is currently offering booster jabs to over-70s, and those who received the one-dose Jansen vaccine. García said boosters may be extended to the 60 to 65-year-old age group, but expressed doubts as to whether it would be required for younger age groups. “There is no scientific evidence that booster jabs increase resistance apart from in those who are immune-deficient.”
“We are in a global pandemic,” said García, and while in developing countries 70 to 75% of people have had two jabs, much of the world hasn’t had any.” García said they should be put first “not just for reasons of fairness, but for epidemiological reasons, too.”
García also recommended that people take advantage of the flu jab this year, despite indications that the flu may not have a strong presence this winter. “It’s uncertain,” her said “We’ve already seen that, in the southern hemisphere, there wasn’t much flu, but we can’t predict that the same will happen in the northern hemisphere.”
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