“I think it is more reasonable to give priority to the third dose for the elderly and frail rather than vaccinating the little ones.” This is the opinion of Alberto Tommasini, pediatrician, immunologist and researcher of the Department of Pediatrics Ircss Burlo Garofolo, guest of the Health Festival arrived at the third appointment in Trieste. Interviewed by Omar Monastier director of The small e Veneto messenger, Tommasini clarified that “at the moment I think that the indications are insufficient, not so much for the data concerning the safety and efficacy of the vaccine that appear good even at this age, but to think that vaccinating children can also lead to immunity herd is difficult: today we know that reaching something even very close to herd immunity is complicated both for the variants of the virus and because in a globalized world, not all countries are conducting the campaign in the same way. So what’s the point of insisting on this concept when researchers disagree? Let’s go ahead with the third dose for the elderly, before vaccinating the children ”.
Health Festival. The effects of the pandemic on children and adolescents, interview with Alberto Tommasini
Isolation, remote schooling, what kind of impact has the pandemic had on the little ones?
“Especially at the beginning of the pandemic, during the first lockdown, we were very worried about the effects of isolation on adolescents, indeed on pre-adolescents who, as we know, have an existential need for sociality and to look beyond the definition of self. same servant. Here, on the boys who were approaching this path, interrupting it so suddenly could have devastating effects “.
And what kind of consequences have you noticed?
“Also in the first phase, from a neuropsychological point of view we observed an increase in anxious and depressive disorders, there was a part of adolescents who felt the discomfort of feeling pointed out as possible responsible for the spread of the infection to the elderly population, they who ran the least risk. On the other hand, we observed a more difficult access to treatment among sick children due to fear. Phenomenon that we had to face with decision “
Are the effects of the pandemic continuing even now that we are learning to live with it?
“Unfortunately, I fear that on many children who were in the critical phase, the beginning of adolescence for example, the effects will be seen for a long time. This is why there must be a commitment on our part to be vigilant in order to guarantee them help, even for their families. Just look at what happened when the world reopened this summer. We observed that many young people were no longer able to manage social relationships, to experience a newfound sociability. Thus, we have witnessed certain inappropriate behaviors, alcohol abuse and even some violent behavior that testify to a lack of training in social life “
Advice to parents?
“The main advice for parents of kids who are in the vaccine range, to do it as soon as possible, to avoid isolation. I think a further limitation is not justified. When I meet the boys in my clinic at the Burlo and see them in difficulty, I thank them for what they did for us during the pandemic, because I believe that little has been said directly to the younger population. The great majority of them had an exemplary behavior, of renunciation, in the face of a health risk, which they ran lower than adults. Let’s not forget how much they have lost “.
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