Under 5s' symptoms after Pfizer COVID-19 jab similar to vaccines for other conditions

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-10-19 02:00

International

Pfizer-BioNTech_COVID-19_vaccine_(2020)_C By U.S. Secretary of Defense, CC BY 2.0

The symptoms reported in kids under five after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are comparable overall to those for approved non–SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, according to German and Swiss scientists. They looked at reactions in 7,806 kids who had the Pfizer vaccine, and found irritation at the injection site, muscle and bone symptoms, irritated skin, and ear, nose and throat symptoms were modestly elevated after the Pfizer jab compared with non–SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, but general symptoms were lower. The findings suggest healthcare professionals should be confident recommending parents get their young children vaccinated against COVID-19 using the Pfizer jab, the scientists conclude.

Media release

From: JAMA

Comparative Safety of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine vs Non–SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Children Younger Than Age 5

About The Study: The symptoms reported after administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were comparable overall to those for approved non–SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in this study including 7,800 children younger than age 5. The data may be used together with prospective licensure studies of BNT162b2 efficacy and safety and could help guide expert recommendations about BNT162b2 vaccinations in this age group.

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Research JAMA, Web page The URL will go live after the embargo ends

Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Witten/Herdecke University, Germany

Funder: Dr J. Moor reported receiving funding from the Swiss Society of General Internal Medicine Foundation and the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences outside the submitted work. Drs Drinka, Toepfner, and Berner and Mr Jorczyk were supported by University Medical Center Dresden. Dr M. B. Moor was supported by University Hospital Bern and the National Competence Center of Research-Kidney. Dr Chao was supported by University Medical Center Rostock.

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