CECC Approved BNT and Moderna for Puplis from 12 to 17 12-17歲可打BNT或莫德納 開學後安排接種

The Central Epidemic Command Center is making BNT and Moderna vaccines available to those between the ages of 12 and 17, with the inoculation expected to happen during next semester. Experts say vaccines will trigger better responses among young people and children, but whether they will cause adverse reactions is also something we should pay close attention to.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved both BNT and Moderna vaccines for youths between the ages of 12 and 17. The domestic expert says young people generally experience only mild symptoms if infected, however, they still infect older family members and should be vaccinated.

Lee Ping-ing, Advisor, Central Epidemic Command Center:”If students get infected and subsequently infect family members, the family members could then infect students at other schools. This would set off a community transmission chain.” 

In addition, the expert said since mRNA vaccines might cause myocarditis to some in their 20 to 30, we should keep an eye on similar side effects on youths with a BNT or Moderna jab.

Lee Ping-ing, Advisor, Central Epidemic Command Center:”We don't know if (Moderna) raises the risk of myocarditis in 12- to 17-year-olds.” 

Meanwhile, a latest international study suggests that children's nasal lining cells may be better than adults' at defending against COVID-19. Children also appear to be quicker in eliminating COVID-19 compared to adults. The expert say this indicates vaccines will provide children with stronger protection than adults. Asked when children can start getting Moderna vaccines, the CECC said an expert panel would discuss the issue and make the decision.

青少年族群除了輝瑞BNT疫苗，又多一款新冠疫苗可接種！疫情指揮中心證實，已收到食藥署公文，同意莫德納疫苗、增列12歲到17歲為使用對象。對此國內專家表示，雖然青少年染疫後，大多為輕症或無症狀，但很可能將病毒帶回家，造成家戶感染，也會影響學習，還是有接種疫苗的必要性。

中央流行疫情指揮中心專家諮詢小組委員 李秉穎：「因為學生得到感染疫後會傳給家人，家人也可能會傳給其他學校的同學，所以會變成一個社區的傳染鏈。」

不過專家也提醒，不管是輝瑞BNT或是莫德納，這類mRNA疫苗、對於20到30歲年輕人，比較容易引發心肌炎等副作用，是否也會對青少年族群有類似情況，仍值得後續觀察。

中央流行疫情指揮中心專家諮詢小組委員 李秉穎：「心肌炎的顧慮還是在的，它(莫德納)在上市以後可能還是要再繼續追蹤說，12到17歲是不是也有，比較高的比例產生心肌炎。」

此外，國際最新研究發現，兒童鼻腔對抗新冠病毒的免疫反應，比成人好，而且即使感染，清除病毒速度也比成人快。專家認為，同理可證，青少年免疫反應較強，打完疫苗後，也會比成人產生較強的保護效果。至於青少年何時可打莫德納?指揮中心表示，還得經專家會議討論後再做決定。