Germany's vaccine panel says one COVID-19 shot enough for children
24/5/2022 19:07
Germany's vaccine advisory panel on Tuesday said one COVID-19 shot was enough for healthy five to 11 year-olds because most of them had already undergone an infection, be it known or undetected. The view by the panel of 18 appointees known as STIKO contrasts with approval by European Union regulators for a two-shot regimen in that age group. U.S. regulators last week even authorized a third, or booster shot for the group. "For children we have to assume that the rate of spreading of the infection is the highest. That's why it's reasonable to administer only one vaccination," STIKO panel member Martin Terhardt told a media briefing. The expert panel's previous view on the age group, published in December, was to limit vaccinations to those at risk of developing severe COVID-19 or those living with an at-risk person, drawing criticism at the time for not keeping up with the pace of the coronavirus.
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