Rationale for Eventual Mandatory Pediatric SARS-Cov-2 Immunization
| 1. Although uncommon, severe COVID does occur in children in the form of MIS-C and pulmonary disease. |
| 2. Children do become infected and excrete virus that could infect parents, teachers, and other children. |
| 3. Because childhood infection is often asymptomatic, other precautions will not suffice. |
| 4. If strain change decreases long-lasting immunity, children will at least be primed for an accelerated response to infection or revaccination. |
| 5. Vaccination of children will be needed to reach high coverage and, potentially, herd immunity. |
| 6. Viral mutations are generating variants, such as the one from the United Kingdom, that are spreading more readily to children. |
| 7. Pediatric vaccination programs have a highly successful international track record in making major advances in reducing infectious diseases. |
| 8. There is a well-developed international infrastructure for pediatric immunization that will be a practical path to ensure global immunization against SARS-CoV-2. |
| 9. After immunizing teachers, pediatric vaccination will further accelerate opening of schools and normalizing children’s activities key to their well-being and parental work productivity. |
| 10. As is the case for other vaccines, mandatory vaccination of children guarantees high coverage, as opposed to strictly voluntary vaccination. |
| 1. Although uncommon, severe COVID does occur in children in the form of MIS-C and pulmonary disease. |
| 2. Children do become infected and excrete virus that could infect parents, teachers, and other children. |
| 3. Because childhood infection is often asymptomatic, other precautions will not suffice. |
| 4. If strain change decreases long-lasting immunity, children will at least be primed for an accelerated response to infection or revaccination. |
| 5. Vaccination of children will be needed to reach high coverage and, potentially, herd immunity. |
| 6. Viral mutations are generating variants, such as the one from the United Kingdom, that are spreading more readily to children. |
| 7. Pediatric vaccination programs have a highly successful international track record in making major advances in reducing infectious diseases. |
| 8. There is a well-developed international infrastructure for pediatric immunization that will be a practical path to ensure global immunization against SARS-CoV-2. |
| 9. After immunizing teachers, pediatric vaccination will further accelerate opening of schools and normalizing children’s activities key to their well-being and parental work productivity. |
| 10. As is the case for other vaccines, mandatory vaccination of children guarantees high coverage, as opposed to strictly voluntary vaccination. |