Woman – asks to solve all doubts When school age is hesitant about mRNA vaccine

to support the opening of classes at the moment Youth aged 12-18 are gradually receiving mRNA vaccination against COVID-19, so as to help parents and youths who are hesitant to get mRNA vaccination and to offer a wide range of information about vaccination. Vaccines against COVID-19 Among youths aged 12-18 years, the network of The Only Health University of Thailand (THOHUN) has organized an online discussion event “One Health in the Virtual Park” in collaboration with the National Vaccine Institute. To share information on the topic “mRNA vaccine in children, is it really good or dangerous? How do you decide?”

Many may wonder why young people aged 12-18 need Pfizer’s mRNA vaccination against COVID-19 instead of the inactivated vaccine like Sinovac or the virus-borne vaccine. recombinant viral vectorvaccine) such as astrazeneca, as well as adults aged 18 years and over and the elderly population.

Prof. Dr. Thanyawee Phuthanakij, a pediatrician from the Department of Pediatrics Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University In an online discussion, the mRNA vaccine is being used to inject adolescents from all continents around the world. Whether in America, Latin America, Europe or in Asia such as Japan and Singapore, we will find that there is enough information to make a decision to use the mRNA vaccine among adolescents. As for other types of vaccination in children, we still have to wait for research results and clear data to support it.”

At present, in Thailand, only mRNA vaccines have been approved by the FDA for use in children aged 12-17 years old, and the reason why other COVID-19 vaccines have not been registered is because they have not been effective. research and sufficient empirical evidence to support it. It was found that children hospitalized with severe COVID-19 symptoms were all children who had never been vaccinated before. This has confirmed that mRNA vaccination reduces the risk of contracting COVID-19. and the occurrence of severe illnesses that require hospitalization

Prof.D. Thanyawee Phuthanakij, MD.

But there is a lot of information about the serious side effects of people getting this vaccine. Some of them were found to develop myocarditis. This is why many children and parents are reluctant to take their children for the mRNA vaccine that is allocated, despite the fact that myocarditis can occur for a number of reasons. and infection with the COVID-19 virus It is also one of the causes of myositis. The incidence is 450 out of 1,000,000, which is higher than the higher incidence of myocardial infarction. 9 times the mRNA vaccination-induced myocardial infarction can be observed. It usually occurs 3-7 days after the second dose of the vaccine and is more common in males.

In this regard, Dr. Rangsarit Kanchanavanich, professor and consultant in cardiology Center of Medical Excellence Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University clarified on this issue that “Myocardial infarction following mRNA vaccination was less severe than COVID-19 myocardial infarction. and symptoms are different from coronary heart disease in adults There will be chest pain and abnormal ECG, and 95% of patients are at low risk and have mild symptoms. or it can be healed on its own.”

In addition, Prof. Dr. Thanyawee and Dr. Rangsarit It also added that the mRNA vaccine is a highly effective vaccine for preventing serious infection and illness caused by COVID-19 infection. which may play a part in preventing symptoms after contracting COVID-19 (Post-COVID condition), such as Multisystem InflammatorySyndrome in Children (MIS-C), a condition in which the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection (Long COVID) and infection can be prevented by mutated strains are found. various including the Delta species as well

Dr. Rangsarit Kanchanavanich

if compared Benefits of mRNA vaccination among children aged 12-18 years in the prevention of infection. Reduce the severity of the disease and reducing mortality from COVID-19 is clearly greater than the incidence rate of myocardial infarction. and children who are about to be vaccinated should be carefully considered.

For youth aged 12-18 years who decide to receive mRNA vaccination, the Royal College of Pediatricians of Thailand recommends that All boys and girls aged 16-18, including boys and girls aged 12-16, with chronic medical conditions that are at risk of developing COVID-19. severe, possibly fatal Both vaccinations should be given. Girls aged 12-16 years should receive both doses. Boys aged 12-16 years should be given only one dose first and then consider the symptoms whether the second dose should be given or not, since it is a period. Age at the same time at greatest risk of myocardial infarction/pericarditis Information from the Department of Disease Control And experts at the Immunization Subcommittee on October 20, 2021 stated that boys aged 12-16 can be vaccinated with both doses of mRNA.

Prof.D. Thanyawee Phuthanakij said about the guidelines for mRNA vaccination in children, saying, “In Thailand, children aged 12 years and over should be vaccinated with mRNA. 2 because it stimulates the immune system to be higher Especially children who are sick or have congenital diseases should receive 2 doses of vaccine because if these children If infected with COVID-19 Will have a chance to be hospitalized and have more severe symptoms than normal children, so we recommend that these children get the second dose of vaccination.”

However, information and research on new COVID-19 vaccines are constantly being released. parents And children should follow the information that is updated regularly.

If you are interested, you can watch the retrospective online discussion to hear the full story here. https://www.facebook.com/NCOTHOHUN/videos/624248442288822

And follow the news of the next “One Health in the Virtual Park” seminar and a summary of cool content from past activities at the Facebook page of Thailand One Health University Network (https://www.facebook.com/NCOTHOHUN). and the PERCEPTiA page (https://www.facebook.com/page.perceptia).

Asst. Prof. Dr. Saengduan Moonsom, coordinator, the only health university in Thailand (THOHUN), Dr. Thanyawee Phuthanakij, Pediatrician, Chulalongkorn University, and Dr. Sunet Chuenkitmongkol, Deputy Director of the National Vaccine Institute