DPF

WHO and Others on COVID-19 for Children

Articles June 25 , 2021

At A Glance:

Pfizer is continuing trials on children for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Pfizer plans to seek approval for EUA fall of 2021 for use in children.
On June 21, 2021, the WHO made an announcement that children shouldn’t be vaccinated for COVID-19 “at the moment.” Statement revision within hours.
CDC advisory committee meetings discuss concerns regarding safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.
FDA receives citizens petition from experts urging EUA to remain in place instead of full approval.

Just two weeks ago, Pfizer confidently announced its vaccine trials in children were progressing. Their intent was to seek authorization for the fall of 2021.¹

WHO’s Statement

On June 21, the WHO (World Health Organization) website said that “children should not get vaccinated for the moment.” The statement was made indicating there was “not yet enough evidence” to recommend the vaccine for children.

With the news coming quickly, and many weighing in on the subject, the website was edited within hours. The new statement reflects “unless they are part of groups at higher risk of severe COVID-19, it is less urgent to vaccinate them than older people, those with chronic health conditions, and healthcare workers.”¹ The change of position from “should not” to “less urgent” was noticed by many as they tried to bring the news forward.

The CDC and FDA Are Also Receiving Advice

Children aren’t considered “super spreaders” of COVID-19 and typically have a very mild case, if any symptoms at all. Based on these facts, the need for the vaccine wouldn’t fit the FDA criteria for EUA (emergency use authorization). To receive EUA, the vaccine must show a need for the vaccination in the population it is given to, not in hopes that it would help another population. It would also need to show that “the known and potential benefits…[for] the identified serious or life-threatening disease or condition, outweigh the known and potential risks of the product.”³ Currently, the data doesn’t indicate these facts.

The timing of the statement by the WHO was notable. The CDC met this week to discuss the rise of cases of heart inflammation, or myocarditis, after the vaccine. During the meeting last week, concerns were raised whether or not the benefits outweigh the risks for the 12-17 age group.

On June 1, a group of 27 concerned experts presented the FDA with a citizens petition. The petition urged the FDA to allow the EUA to remain in place instead of full approval. With long-term trials continuing into 2023, there is still much data to collect. Rushing approval without this information would be irresponsible.

Hold the Phone — Doc’s Thoughts:

There are so many pushes for childhood vaccines. In fact, over the last 30 years, the number of vaccines given to children has skyrocketed! Children’s innate immune systems go after these viruses and develop a lifelong immunity. When we start with the vaccines, the need for more and more boosters throughout their childhood continues to pile up.⁴ The number of adverse reactions to these COVID vaccines are escalating at exponential rates.⁵ And now we want to give them to children who can’t tell us exactly what they are feeling?

Children aren’t super spreaders of COVID-19. They aren’t impacted like other groups of people. If we allow their bodies to encounter the disease while they are able to handle it well, they’ll develop natural, lifelong immunity! That will lead to healthier children that will grow into healthier adults.

References:

¹https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/06/08/pfizer-covid-vaccine-next-phase-trials-young-children-begin/7602063002/

²https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines/advice

³https://www.fda.gov/media/142749/download#:~:text=When%20FDA%20assesses%20investigational%20COVID,assessment%20of%20trial%20data%20 integrity

⁴https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html

⁵https://www.openvaers.com/covid-data