Double Pfizer jab will keep adolescents out of hospital

A study has revealed that a double dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine prevents hospitalisation among adolescents aged 12 to 17.
The Department of Health is aiming to fully vaccinate at least 6 million adolescents aged between 12 and 17. (Photo: Freepik)
A study has revealed that a double dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine prevents hospitalisation among adolescents aged 12 to 17.
The Department of Health is aiming to fully vaccinate at least 6 million adolescents aged between 12 and 17. (Photo: Freepik)

A new study from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were highly effective in preventing hospitalisation among adolescents aged between 12 and 17.

The clinical trial showed that the vaccine was effective in preventing COVID-19. However, researchers wanted to look at the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine in preventing hospitalisation among adolescents. The control case study included patients aged 12 to 18 years admitted to paediatric hospitals.

The study took place from June to September 2021. It included 572 eligible patients. Various reasons led to the exclusion of 108 patients. At least 56 were partially vaccinated or had their second dose between zero and 13 days before getting sick.

Among the 464 hospitalised adolescents (179 case-patients and 285 controls) the average age was 15 years.  At least 72% had at least one underlying condition, including obesity, and 68% attended in-person school. The two-dose vaccine was 93% effective against COVID-19 hospitalisation. This proved the vaccine was highly effective at preventing COVID-19 hospitalisation ion this age group. The Delta variant was predominant then.

Younger kids well-protected

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a trial of about 2250 children showed the Pfizer vaccine prevented 90.7% of symptomatic cases in children aged five to 11. Vaccinated children experienced milder symptoms and none developed fevers. The side effects were consistent with previous observations.

Latest SA COVID-19 vaccine info
As of yesterday, 25 October 2021, a total of 61 997 kids aged between 12 to 17 years old, have received their first dose of the Pfizer jab. (Photo: Twitter – Department of Health)

Vaccination opened for South African teenagers last Wednesday, and over 35 000 children got vaccinated by Friday, the highest within 72 hours. The government wants to vaccinate at least 6 million children within this age group. However, South Africa is giving this cohort just one dose of the vaccine. – Health-e News 

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