Age-related immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines

Pandemija virusne COVID-19 infekcije je dovela do brojnih hospitalizacija, smrti i kroničnih posljedica infekcije. Premda su kliničke prezentacije u djece i adolescenata u pravilu daleko blaže, teški oblici su prisutni i u ovoj dobnoj skupini, a komplikacije u vidu multisistemskog imunološkog sindroma ili Long-COVIDa su dokumentirane. Cijepljenje, koje je odobreno za djecu iznad 5 godina starosti, pomaže u suzbijanju akutnih i kroničnih posljedica, ali je slabo prihvaćeno u Republici Hrvatskoj. Stoga su potrebni dodatni napori kako bi se javnost upoznala s rizicima koje COVID infekcije nose za djecu, ali i kvalitetno informirala o nuspojavama, rizicima i blagodatima cijepljenja u ovoj dobnoj skupini.The COVID-19 pandemics has led to numerous hospitalizations, deaths, and long-term disabilities. While clinical presentations in children and adolescents are generally milder, severe forms may occur. Moreover, multisystem immune syndrome in children (MIS-C) or Long-COVID complications have been documented in this age group as well. Vaccination is approved for children over 5 years of age and helps to combat acute and chronic consequences of COVID-19 infection, but is poorly accepted in Croatia. Therefore, additional efforts are needed to make the public aware of the risks that COVID infections pose to children, but also to inform them in a realistic and balanced manner about the side effects, risks and benefits of vaccination in this age group