(MENAFN- Swissinfo)
As of next month, children aged between 5 and 11 in Switzerland can get anti-Covid vaccinations if their parents or legal guardians wish. © Keystone/Alessandro Della Valle
The Swiss health authorities have recommended extending anti-Covid vaccinations to children aged between five and 11.
This content was published on December 14, 2021 - 16:56 December 14, 2021 - 16:56 swissinfo.ch/urs
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Desde enero, vacunas pediátricas disponibles
The statement by the federal Office of Public Health and the government advisory commission for vaccination on Tuesday came four days after the medical regulator, Swissmedic gave the green light to Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine.
Both the commission and the health office said the recommendation applied particularly to children who already face serious health risks due to a chronic condition.
The recommendation also applies to children of this age group who have recovered from an infection with Covid-19 and who have close contact with vulnerable people.
The vaccines will be available from the beginning of January 2022, according to Virginie Masserey of the health office.
Christoph Berger, president of the Federal Vaccination Commission, said the authorisation was based on clinical studies carried out with children in the United States.
Infections
The health situation in Swiss hospitals remains tense, according to Masserey, who said that latest statistics suggest an increase of hospitalisations is likely in the next few weeks.
However, the upward trend of new daily Covid cases appears to be slowing after a steady rise over the past eight weeks.
Experts say it is too early to say whether the peak of the latest wave of infections has been reached: the seven-day average of new daily cases currently stands at 9,140.
Two-thirds of the Swiss population have so far received two anti-Covid jabs and just over 47% of the population over the age of 65 have had a third, booster vaccination.
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