@article{Rudan_I-2021_57570,
title = {The COVID-19 pandemic in children and young people during 2020-2021: A complex discussion on vaccination},
author = {Rudan, I. and Adeloye, D. and Katikireddi, S. and Murray, J. and Simpson, C. and Shah, S. and Robertson, C. and Sheikh, A. and EAVE II Collaboration},
month = {dec},
year = {2021},
abstract = {Vaccination of children and young people against COVID-19 remains highly debated, with considerable policy divergence internationally. Vaccinating younger age groups was not an initial plan when the original variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged, because children and young people (CYP) seemed very mildly affected by COVID-19. However, new mutations led to increased virulence of the SARS-CoV-2. This led to an increase in the population threshold of vaccination coverage required for prevention of viral spread, possibly to levels above 80% vaccine uptake in the whole population. Also, due to the successful roll-out of vaccination to older and at-risk populations, the virus began to circulate in greater numbers amongst younger populations, which became a new concern. An important element was also the issue of harms unrelated to health, such as educational disruption. A broader perspective weighted the long-term educational benefits and shorter-term health issues. In addition, increasing awareness of the possible rare complications of COVID-19 in CYP and the “long COVID” syndrome prompted the scientific study and comparison of the risks of disease vs the safety of vaccination, even among the very young.},
volume = {11},
journal = {Journal of Global Health},
publisher = {International Society of Global Health},
url = {https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.11.01011},
}
