The science is in! We’re pushing so hard in the United States to give these to kids starting at age 5 while other countries are putting on the brakes. Hong Kong, the UK, and now Taiwan have all recognized the risk is significant for kids especially after that 2nd dose.
Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) head Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) said on Wednesday (Nov. 10) that a panel of experts has decided to suspend administering second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT) COVID vaccine to children 12-17 years old amid concerns it may increase the risk of myocarditis.
Cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart) have been reported after BNT vaccination of children between 12 and 17 years of age. According to U.S. statistics, the risk of youths experiencing myocarditis after receiving the second BNT dose is 10 times higher than after the first dose, CNA reported.
Some countries have adjusted their policies regarding administering COVID-19 vaccines to adolescents. For instance, Hong Kong has changed from two doses of BNT to only a single dose for those aged 12-17. The U.K. has done something similar, recommending only one shot for children between 12 and 18 years of age, per CNA.
Taiwan halts 2nd-dose BioNTech vaccinations for ages 12-17 amid concerns of myocarditis | Taiwan News | 2021-11-10 15:42:00
There is no reason to give this vaccine to anyone under the age of 30 unless they’re at high risk from other factors. And even then they might be better off with some of the alternative treatments that have come about in the last 12 months.