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On January 21, 2022, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) approved the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11.
We ask that parents/guardians decide whether or not to vaccinate their children upon understanding the risks and benefits of vaccination and discussing it with their children.
Please note that vaccination is not mandatory.
Children aged 5 to 11 with resident records in Hiroshima City.
The vaccine used will be Pfizer’s vaccine for children (see Note 1). Generally, two doses are given spaced three weeks apart (parent/guardian must be present during vaccination). If more than three weeks have passed since the first dose, please have your child receive their second dose as quickly as possible.
Note 1: contains one-third of the active ingredients found in the Pfizer vaccine for those 12 years or older.
The number of neutralizing antibodies (antibody value) found one month after the second dose of this vaccine was equivalent to those found one month after the second dose of Pfizer vaccines administered to those aged 16-25.
In addition, it has been reported that the percentage of those who developed symptoms of COVID-19 one week or more after their second dose was reduced by 90.7% compared to the unvaccinated.
Please note that this information became available prior to the emergence of the Omicron variant.
It has been reported that there are no major differences between adults and children in terms of post-vaccination side effects, including the types of side effects experienced and the instances of their occurrence.
During clinical trials, the most prevalent side effect found to occur within a few days of receiving the vaccine was pain at the injection site (first dose: 74%, second dose: 71%). Many people felt pain at the injection site the evening of the day they received their vaccine or the next day, rather than right after the vaccine was administered.
Side effects such as fatigue and fever were seen more after the second dose than the first. Fevers of 38°C and above were seen in 2.5% of those vaccinated for the first dose, and 6.5% of those vaccinated for the second dose. Most side effects were light to mild cases, and, from the information we have at current, we have not found any cause for grave concerns over the safety of the vaccine.
Type of side effect |
Instances found |
---|---|
Pain at the injection site, fatigue |
Over 50% |
Headache, redness at the injection site, swelling, muscle pain, chills |
10-50% |
Diarrhea, fever, joint pain, vomiting |
1-10% |
Note: If parents/guardians cannot accompany their child for exceptional reasons, it is possible for an appropriate person (such as family member with an excellent knowledge of the child’s health) to be designated as a proxy by the guardian to accompany the child.
While the cases are extremely rare, there have been reports from abroad of children developing mild cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside of the heart). In the United States, the reported percentage of cases in boys aged 5-11 was lower than those reported in boys aged 12-15 and 16-17. If your child experiences chest pains, fast-beating or fluttering heart, shortness of breath, or swelling about 1-4 days after receiving their vaccine, seek medical attention right away and let them know that your child has been vaccinated. Please note that should your child be diagnosed with myocarditis, hospitalization is generally required; however, most cases are resolved naturally with rest.
Regarding any health problems which arise due to the vaccine, should these problems be certified by the national government, this system will provide relief for medical fees, disability pension, etc.
The following details when vaccination coupons will be sent to children who will be turning five. Once their vaccination coupon arrives, they are eligible for vaccination.