Children aged 12 and older will be able to receive Pfizer vaccine only on a voluntary basis and with consent of their parents — Alexey Tsoy

A briefing on the Address of the Head of State to the people of Kazakhstan “Unity of People and Systemic Reforms — Solid Foundation for the Country's Prosperity" was held in the press center of the government. Minister of Healthcare Alexey Tsoy spoke about the risk of an increase in the spread of CVI and vaccination of children.

The risk of an increase in the incidence of coronavirus infection is associated with a possible overlay of the incidence of coronavirus infection with a seasonal rise in the incidence of ARVI and influenza. In this regard, vaccination of the population against influenza began in September.

“The autumn-winter period in our country is always accompanied by a drop in immunity, this is an annual pattern. As for the coronavirus, with reduced immunity, of course, the likelihood of infection is higher, but one must not forget about social distance, wearing masks and, most importantly, vaccination. It protects a person from this infection,” Tsoy said.

Monitoring of the epidemiological situation is carried out on an ongoing basis.

“For outbreaks, we are now separately monitoring new imported strains that appear on the territory of the republic, and one of the risks, undoubtedly, may be the import of new, more aggressive strains. At the moment, those strains that circulate in Kazakhstan are under control. We are also working on the development of a domestic vaccine, taking into account the addition of newly emerging strains on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” added the head of the Ministry of Healthcare.

It is worth noting that filter services of PHC organizations, mobile teams, as well as district specialists when signs of acute respiratory viral infections, pneumonia or coronavirus infection appear, including studies to detect coronavirus infection, are provided free of charge within the framework of the guaranteed volume of free medical care to all citizens, regardless of the status in the healthcare insurance system.

As for the delivery of vaccines produced by Pfizer, it is planned for the 4th quarter of this year. The exact delivery time will be announced shortly.

“The delivery of the Pfizer vaccine is planned for the fourth quarter of this year, as soon as the schedules are verified with the company, we will provide the exact dates. As for the population subject to vaccination, namely the age category, firstly, at the moment, the registration certificate and instructions that are declared by Pfizer in the Republic of Kazakhstan are children and adolescents from 12 years old and older, they can be vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, and only on a voluntary basis and with parental consent,” Tsoy said.

The head of the department also spoke about a possible change in the parameters for the age of children to be vaccinated.

“As for the change in age, now, as soon as these studies are approved by the regulators of the countries where these clinical trials were conducted, we will receive official recommendations, perhaps we will also consider these approaches. At the moment, according to the registration certificate, there is a permit to receive vaccines for children aged 12 and over,” the minister explained.

Currently, activities are being completed to work out the logistics and storage of Pfizer vaccines, and seminars have been held with regional health departments. The Ministry of Health has sent a request to Pfizer on the use of the vaccine for children over 5 years of age; after receiving official information, it will be additionally announced.

There is also a multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 (also known as Kawasaki-like syndrome) in children and adolescents — this is a new syndrome temporarily associated with exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, leading to a severe course of the disease. This is a post-infectious syndrome that develops in children 2-6 weeks after suffering a COVID-19 infection.

Since August 2020, cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 have begun to be registered in the republic.

According to the results of a study conducted by specialists of the Scientific Center for Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery, multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 occurred in children in the Republic of Kazakhstan 2-6 weeks after suffering a coronavirus infection.

Stay updated about the events of the Prime Minister and the Government of Kazakhstan - subscribe to the official Telegram channel

Subscribe