TOKYO The Japan Pediatric Society JPS has stated it recommends COVID 19 vaccinations for children aged 5 -- 17 years old.
The JPS recommended after it concluded that the vaccines' efficacy including preventing COVID 19 or serious illness if infected, the benefits supersede adverse reaction and other side effect risks.
The medical group released its official view on COVID 19 vaccines on Aug. 10 after a surge in coronaviruses among children amid Japan's seventh wave of infections. Although more than 95% of the children's infections are mild, the ratio with severe symptoms is increasing compared to the few similar cases seen previously, the group said. By the end of 2021, there had been three COVID 19 deaths among those younger than 20, but 14 child deaths have been reported since the beginning of 2022.
Coronaviruses have been confirmed to be effective against the omicron variants in preventing symptoms and severe cases. Children between the ages of 12 -- 17 in Japan have experienced adverse reactions at about the same rate as young adults, while milder post-vaccination reactions have been recorded among children from the ages of 5 to 11 years old.
The pediatric society had previously stated that vaccinations for those aged 5 -- 11 had significance, and the latest recommendation is an escalation in wording. The group recommends that they get their third shots for 12 to 17 year-olds.
According to the Japanese government, 18.5% of children aged 5 -- 11 have had two COVID 19 shots. JPS council member Akihiko Saitoh said at a news conference: While vaccination rates among children are low, there have been some serious cases. A health ministry subcommittee on inoculations concluded on August 8 that efforts have to be made to get 5 to 11 year-olds vaccine-vaccinated against COVID 19 under the Immunization Act.