3,000 doses were distributed to 80 vaccination points in the region.
Children’s vaccine against coronavirus “Komirnati” from the company “Biontex” has arrived in Lviv region. The vaccine is intended for children aged 5 to 11 years (children aged 12 and over are vaccinated with an adult vaccine).
The head of the sanitary-quarantine department of the Lviv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health, Oleg Kogut, said this.
“Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic is not over. And even in the Lviv region, we currently register up to 100 cases of the disease every week. If we take the total number of patients, almost 5% or every 20 patients are children.
In order to protect children from this disease, the company “Biontex” developed the children’s vaccine “Komirnati”. Children are vaccinated with this vaccine in many countries of the world. The received vaccine has already been distributed to health care institutions of the region – thus 80 vaccination points will be provided with this vaccine. The representatives of the points are already gradually taking the vaccine from the warehouse, so in the coming days the residents of Lviv Oblast will be able to vaccinate children,” Oleg Kogut said.
He also explained about the properties of the vaccine and how it is used.
“It is specific, slightly different from an adult – its immunogenic properties are somewhat lower, taking into account the immune system of a child’s body. The vaccine is safe and can be used to prevent coronavirus infection.
The vaccine is administered in two stages, that is, the first and second vaccination with an interval of three to four months. A booster dose after three weeks is also recommended.
The vaccine is intended for all children, but primarily for those who have chronic diseases, diseases of the cardiovascular system, upper respiratory tract, or for children with reduced immunity (immunocompromised children),” Oleg Kogut said.
In those countries where this vaccine is used today, no serious complications have been registered. The only thing that can happen, as from any other vaccine, is redness and soreness at the injection site, high temperature or restless sleep in the child, and deterioration of appetite.
In the Lviv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health, parents are recommended to protect the health of their children and vaccinate them against the coronavirus, because now the new subtype of the Omicron strain is spreading around the world.
“The vaccine is absolutely necessary, especially considering the fact that the new subtype of the Omicron XBB 1.5 strain is spreading in the world, which has now covered the entire globe. This virus is transmitted very quickly, the course of the disease is the same as with the previous subtypes (in the form of a cold infection). And the vaccine, if it does not prevent one hundred percent from the disease, it will protect against severe forms of the disease, which can lead to serious complications or deaths,” Oleg Kogut emphasized.
The list of medical institutions, vaccination points where the children’s vaccine was distributed, is at the link.
Read here about which vaccine is available in Lviv Region for adults and children over 12 years old.