Mônica Bergamo: Pediatrics Society says the population should not fear the vaccine, but Covid

The Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP) published this Thursday (6) a note of rejection in which it reiterates the safety of vaccination against Covid-19 for children aged 5 to 11 years and says that the population should not fear the immunizer — but rather the disease he seeks to prevent.

The letter, according to the entity, was made in response to “comments from authorities on possible risks arising from immunization”. The demonstration took place hours after President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) attacked childhood vaccination and asked parents not to be carried away by what he called propaganda.

“So far, the studies carried out point to the efficacy and safety of the vaccine applied in the pediatric population, which is fundamental in the effort to reduce the severe forms of Covid-19”, says the SBP.

“The vaccine prevents death, pain, suffering, emergencies and hospitalization in all age groups. Denying this benefit to children without solid scientific evidence, as well as discouraging parents and guardians from immunizing their children, is an act regrettable and irresponsible act, which, unfortunately, can cost lives”, he continues.

The entity also highlights that the indicators of deaths from Covid-19 among Brazilian children “are more expressive than in other nations” and that the disease can generate complications such as the so-called long Covid and the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome.

The Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday (5) that children aged 5 to 11 years will receive the Pfizer vaccine for Covid-19 without the need to present a medical prescription.

Immunization will begin with minors with comorbidities, permanent disabilities, indigenous people and quilombolas. Then, the folder recommends that children who live with people considered at risk be vaccinated.

On Thursday, however, Bolsonaro repeated that he will not vaccinate his 11-year-old daughter Laura, and suggested that Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) and “vaccine perverts” are interested in approving the immunizer.

The technicians of the folder have been receiving threats, investigated today by the Federal Police, since they approved the use of Pfizer for children from 5 to 11 years old in December last year. The president has already said that he would disclose the name of these technicians, which, so far, has not happened.

Experts point out that vaccination for children against Covid-19 is effective and safe, and that its benefits outweigh possible risks.

According to data from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance System (SIVEP-Gripe), from the beginning of the pandemic until December 6, 301 deaths of children between 5 and 11 years old by Covid-19 were recorded in the country.

Although the number may be lower compared to other age groups, experts say it is essential to immunize children, as they can also transmit the disease to people who can develop more severe cases.

Read the disapproval note from the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics below:

“Brazil should fear the disease, never the medicine!

In the face of comments from authorities about possible risks arising from the immunization of children aged five to 11 years against covid-19, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP) goes public to reiterate to parents and guardians the following points:

1) The population should not fear the vaccine, but the disease it seeks to prevent, as well as its complications, such as long covid and the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, manifestations that consolidate the need for immunization of children.

2) The access of children to the vaccine against covid-19 is a right that must be guaranteed, which has the support of the majority of Brazilians, as expressed in a public consultation carried out on the subject by the Ministry of Health.

3) Vaccination of this public is an important strategy to reduce the number of deaths due to covid-19 in this age group, in Brazil, whose indicators are more expressive than in other nations.

4) So far, the studies carried out point to the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine applied in the pediatric population, which is fundamental in the effort to reduce the severe forms of covid-19.

5) The vaccine prevents death, pain, suffering, emergencies and hospitalization in all age groups. Denying this benefit to children without solid scientific evidence, as well as discouraging parents and guardians from immunizing their children, is a regrettable and irresponsible act, which, unfortunately, can cost lives.

Rio de Janeiro, January 6, 2022.

BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF PEDIATRICS”