The thousand doubts that accompanied so many people before deciding to undergo the Covid-19 vaccination become millions when this choice concerns minor children.
It is a choice that puts anyone in crisis, even those who have well understood that the vaccine is the only weapon in our possession to try to make the coronavirus become a bad memory. For those who have not yet made a decision, it may be useful to read the opinion of the National Bioethics Committee (CNB) which recently gave its opinion on the subject of vaccines for minors. It was drafted by the president Lorenzo d'Avack, by the deputy vice president Laura Palazzani, with a working group made up of professors. Stefano Canestrari, Cinzia Caporale, Carlo Casonato, Antonio Da Re, Mario De Curtis, Paola Di Giulio, Gianpaolo Donzelli, Mariapia Garavaglia, Silvio Garattini, Assunta Morresi, Lucio Romano, Luca Savarino and with the wide participation of all the members of the Committee.
The CNB, first of all, reiterated that a priority must continue to be followed in the vaccination plan according to age groups and particular frailties, however it believes that the anti-Covid 19 vaccination on adolescents can safeguard their health and help contain the expansion of the virus from the point of view of public health, in particular with a view to returning to school.
Clearly, the information of families and children must be taken care of so as not to leave, where possible, doubts, fears and uncertainty. In its opinion, in fact, the CNB underlines "that the anti-Covid 19 vaccination of adolescents requires new and different attentions and forms of communication suitable for the age on the part of institutions and doctors". The information must be studied from time to time: “It must - says the Committee - be calibrated on the basis of the adolescent's age, with particular attention to the balance of risks and benefits, which is different from adults and the elderly. The information must also be addressed to adolescents, desirable through an information sheet before the vaccine, so that they can participate in an informed way. This information must be accompanied by actions to raise awareness and educate parents and teachers, with the activation of specific initiatives in the school. It is important to listen to the adolescent and to value his right to express his choice in relation to his capacity for discernment ”.
