Pediatric Infection and Vaccine

The Korean Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (대한소아감염학회)
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Delphi Survey for COVID-19 Vaccination in Korean Children Between 5 and 11 Years Old

국내 5-11세 소아의 코로나19 백신 접종에 대한 델파이 연구

  • 최영준 (고려대학교 안암병원 소아청소년과) ;
  • 이영화 (고려대학교 알레르기면역연구소) ;
  • 최재홍 (제주대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실)
  • Received : 2022.04.07
  • Accepted : 2022.05.01
  • Published : 2022.04.25
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Abstract

Purpose: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we conducted a Delphi survey that included the experts from the field of COVID-19 immunization in children aged 5-11 years. The aim was to organize collective expert opinions on COVID-19 vaccination in young children in the Republic of Korea, and so thus assist the vaccination policy. Methods: The panels included pediatric infectious disease specialists, preventive medicine experts, infectious disease physicians, and COVID-19 vaccine experts consulting the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The Delphi survey was conducted online using a questionnaire from February 14 to February 27, 2022. Results: The Delphi panels agreed that children were vulnerable to COVID-19, and the severity of illness was modest. Furthermore the panels reported that children with chronic illness were more susceptible to a worsening clinical course. There were generally positive opinions on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in children aged 5-11 years, and experts gathered a slightly positive opinion that the adverse events of pediatric COVID-19 were not numerous. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination were evaluated at a level similar to the potential risks in children. Currently, the only approved mRNA platform vaccine in children seemed to be sustainable; however, the recombinant protein platform COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated as better options. Conclusions: Due to the surge of the Omicron variant and an increase in pediatric cases, the COVID-19 vaccination in young children may have to be considered. Panels had neutral opinions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination in children aged 5-11 years. Thus monitoring of the epidemiology and the data about the safety of COVID-19 vaccination should be continued.

본 델파이 연구에서는 5-11세 소아청소년의 코로나19 백신 접종과 관련하여 소아청소년 감염 분과 전문의와 코로나19 백신 전문가들을 대상으로 온라인 설문 조사를 시행하였다. 총 20문항에 대해 두 라운드 동안 각각 46명, 38명이 설문에 응답하였다. 패널들은 5-11세 소아청소년들이 코로나19에 쉽게 감염되지만 중증 진행의 위험도는 여전히 낮은 것으로 판단하였고, 만성 질환을 가진 소아는 중증 진행 위험도가 약간 있는 것으로 평가하였다. 코로나19 백신은 5-11세 소아에게 대체로 위험하지 않다고 응답하였고, 백신 접종의 기대 이익과 잠재적인 위해에 대한 비교는 대체적으로 중립적인 견해를 보였다. 또한 현재 소아에게 유일하게 허가된 mRNA 백신 플랫폼은 지속 가능하겠지만 소아에게는 재조합 단백질 플랫폼 백신이 추후 가장 적절할 것으로 평가되었다. 최종적으로 5-11세 소아에게 코로나19 예방 접종 권장에 대해서는 중립적인 입장을 보였다. 이에 모든 소아청소년들에게 일괄적인 접종 보다는 개별화된 선별 접종이 더 바람직할 것으로 보이며, 소아의 코로나19 백신 접종에 대한 과학적 근거 마련을 위한 지속적인 모니터링이 필요할 것으로 보인다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency policy research grant (2021-10-033).

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