The European Medicines Agency recently approved corona vaccinations for infants and young children. The STIKO is now examining the study situation and wants to make a decision quickly.
After the EU approval of the corona vaccines for children under five years of age, the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) wants to quickly make a recommendation for parents and doctors. The STIKO is "currently working on a recommendation for the Covid 19 vaccinations for children under five years of age," said Commission Chairman Thomas Mertens of the Funke media group. STIKO member Fred Zepp said that a result could be "expected in the next few weeks".
The commission is advising on the available study data, said Zepp, who works as a pediatrician at the University of Mainz. When making her decision, she also takes into account the current incidence of infection in this age group.
The STIKO recommendation for older children between the ages of five and eleven is now having an effect, said Zepp. "Almost every fourth child between the ages of five and eleven has now been vaccinated against Covid-19 at least once." According to the STIKO, a single vaccination is currently sufficient for healthy children.
"So far we haven't seen a high burden of disease from the omicron variant in young children," said Zepp. "Since many children have already been infected with omicron, they are initially well protected by the combination of a one-off vaccination and infection this autumn and winter." Children with their own serious risk factors, on the other hand, should receive up to two booster vaccinations in addition to the full basic immunization.
On Wednesday, the European Medicines Agency approved corona vaccinations for children, including infants and toddlers. The Amsterdam-based agency recommended Biontech/Pfizer's Comirnaty vaccine for children aged six months to four years and Moderna's Spikevax for children aged six months to five years.
