Israel could expand its coronavirus vaccination drive to children as young as 12 within weeks, after new research by drugmaker Pfizer found the vaccine worked safely for the age group.
More than half of Israel's population is fully inoculated against Covid-19, enabling the country to largely reopen its economy and education system.
The possibility of expanding immunisations to under-16s was raised by a Pfizer study published on Wednesday, which said its vaccine showed 100 per cent efficacy among 12-to-15-year-olds.
The results of the US study will be submitted to the country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other international regulators “in the coming weeks”, Pfizer said.
The findings were hailed as “terrific news” by Israel’s health minister, Yuri Edelstein, who said that more vaccines should be procured so that authorities can begin administering doses immediately on FDA approval.
Israel started vaccinating teenagers aged 16 to 18 in late January, a move the government said was aimed at allowing them to take school exams.
At the time Israel's population of nine million was living through a third nationwide lockdown imposed after a surge in coronavirus cases. The vaccination drive is credited for a significant fall in infections in recent weeks, paving the way for most schools to reopen.
Galia Barkai, head of the paediatric infectious diseases unit at Sheba Medical Centre, Israel’s largest hospital, said she was “very happy” that younger children would soon be vaccinated.
“I didn’t expect the results would be different, because the biology and immunology of children 12 to 16 is not different to those 16 and over. I was quite sure it would be safe and effective,” she said of the Pfizer research.
While the vaccination programme has been generally off-limits to those under 16, Dr Barkai said a few hundred younger children received doses because they have illnesses that make them particularly vulnerable to severe Covid-19.
"We've seen already that the children suffer from about the same adverse events [as adults], very lightly affected, like a fever, low-grade fever pain" after being vaccinated, Dr Barkai told The National.
Although most children are back in the classroom, restrictions mean some lessons continue online. Schools are still at risk of being shut because of localised coronavirus outbreaks.
Vaccinating children could allow high schools to return to normal, although Israeli authorities might face challenges in convincing parents to approve the shots.
“I’m sure it would be more complicated than for adults, because for adults it is easy to see how Covid is a devastating disease for old people. But as far as children [are concerned], they are affected less severely,” Dr Barkai said.
“Parents are always more afraid of anything that should be given to their kids than to themselves,” she said.
-
People enter Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park on the first day of opening, as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Valencia, California, U.S. REUTERS -
People ride a roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park on the first day of opening, as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Valencia, California, U.S. REUTERS -
Maritza, who spent time in the hospital with the coronavirus disease COVID-19 and when she was released was locked out of her apartment by fearful roommates, stands in the new room she is renting in an apartment in Chelsea, Massachusetts, U.S. After Maritza lost all her belongings along with her housing, La Colaborativa provided temporary housing, helped her replace her clothes and furniture, and helped her move in to a new rental room in an apartment. REUTERS -
A community vaccination clinic administering doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine inside the Viejas Arena on the campus of San Diego State University in San Diego, California, U.S. Starting April 1, Californians ages 50 and older are eligible to get the Covid-19 vaccine. Bloomberg -
The otherwise busy Am Plan market square in Koblenz's old town is deserted in Koblenz, Germany. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there is a general curfew in Koblenz in the evenings from 10 p.m. AP -
A woman walks as police use a water cannon during clashes in the Bois de la Cambre park in Brussels. Belgian police have clashed with a large crowd in one of Brussels' largest parks, as thousands of revellers had gathered for an unauthorized event despite coronavirus restrictions. AP Photo -
Parisians and homeless gather in front of Paris city hall, one hour after the 19h00 curfew, in Paris. France's prime minister Jean Castex on Thursday defended new nationwide measures to combat a resurgent coronavirus in France that include closing schools for at least three weeks and putting in place a month-long domestic travel ban, the government has acted "consistently and pragmatically". AP Photo -
A woman wearing traditional 'mantillas' attend a mass at Collegiate church of San Isidore in downtown Madrid, Spain. For a second year running, Spain has had to cancel Easter Week processions to help stop the spread of COVID-19. AP Photo -
A garbage collector wearing a mask to help protect against the spread of coronavirus, pulls his cart in Ankara, Turkey. The number of confirmed daily COVID-19 infections in Turkey surpassed 40,000 on Thursday, hitting a record-high for a third straight day. The Health Ministry reported 40,806 new cases in past 24 hours, the highest since the start of the outbreak. It also reported 176 deaths, pushing the fatality toll to 31,713. AP Photo -
A general view as a runner is led through the tunnel from the stables to the track at Chelmsford City Racecourse in Chelmsford, England. Sporting venues around the UK remain under restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Only owners are allowed to attend the meeting but the public must wait until further restrictions are lifted. Getty Images -
People pray at Mother Teresa's Mother House that is closed on Good Friday during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in Kolkata, eastern India. Good Friday is a religious holiday observed by Christians in commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. EPA -
Pakistani senior citizens reacts after he receives a dose of the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine against Covid-19 during the second phase of Pakistan's coronavirus vaccination drive in Peshawar, Pakistan. The Pakistan government tightened restrictions on 29 March, amid a fresh Covid-19 wave that is turning out to be worse than the previous two in a country battling an inordinate delay in anti-coronavirus vaccines. EPA -
Buddhist monks wait to receive a dose of China's Sinovac coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at a temple in Bangkok, Thailand. REUTERS -
Face masks with dogs and cats illustrations are displayed at the 'Interpets' international pet fair in Tokyo, Japan. As the coronavirus pandemic is limiting access from abroad, some 300 exhibitors based in Japan will present their products to business visitors and pet lovers until 04 April at the event, which is the largest international trade fair in the Japanese pet market. With the COVID-19 pandemic, pets are giving comfort to people who are spending more time home due to lockdowns and telework, boosting the pet products market. EPA -
A woman wearing a face mask to help protect against COVID-19 walks through an office and shopping complex on a rainy day in Beijing. A Chinese border city hit by a fresh outbreak of COVID-19 this week began a five-day drive Friday to vaccinate its entire population of 300,000 people. AP Photo
Pfizer last week started a coronavirus vaccine trial involving children aged 5 to 11. The study is expected next week to be expanded to children as young as two and, at a later stage, babies from six months.
While Israel has shown resounding success in vaccinating its citizens, the country faces criticism from rights groups for failing to expand its immunisation programme to about five million Palestinians living in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Last month Israel began vaccinating more than 100,000 Palestinians with permits to work in the country. An additional 60,000 West Bank residents and nearly 24,000 Gazans have received a vaccine, the Palestinian health ministry said on Thursday.
