The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) has not yet issued a general vaccination recommendation for children and adolescents – to the displeasure of leading politicians. Stiko boss Mertens does not want to be put under pressure.
In the debate about corona vaccinations for children, the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) defends itself against outside interference. “The Stiko is deliberately set up as an independent commission in the law. Loud political interference is counterproductive and of no use to anyone”, wrote Stiko boss Thomas Mertens of the German press agency on request.
Stiko-Chef: “Unnecessary pressure must be avoided”
Previously, SPD leader Saskia Esken had asked the Standing Vaccination Commission to reconsider its stance on the vaccination of young people. Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) also expressed himself in this direction. “It is part of the constant task of Stiko to review recommendations (not only in the case of Corona); politicians do not need to be asked to do so”, says Mertens.
The vaccination recommendation could only be updated if meaningful data on the risk from the vaccination and the risk from Delta are available. “This requires time and care for data collection, analysis and evaluation, and consensus building.” Mertens emphasized: “Unnecessary pressure must be avoided to avoid overloading.”
So far no approved vaccine for children under the age of twelve
The Stiko has not yet issued a general vaccination recommendation for children and adolescents from the age of twelve. She recommends vaccinations only for 12 to 17 year olds with certain pre-existing conditions such as obesity, diabetes and chronic lung diseases. The committee justified its recommendation, among other things, by stating that the risk of severe Covid 19 disease for this age group was low.
Even without a general Stiko recommendation, children and adolescents from twelve are included in the German vaccination campaign, so they can be vaccinated regardless of previous illnesses. According to Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU), it is an individual decision made by parents, their children and the doctors. There is currently no approved vaccine for children under the age of twelve.
