Experts concerned more children are contracting COVID-19 in the latest wave - Thai PBS World Tonight [8th April 2021]

An expert in infectious diseases in children has expressed her concern that more children are catching COVID-19 from family members, while the COVID-19 vaccines for children are still under development.

Dr. Warunee Punpanich Vandepitte, of the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, said that 40 infected children received treatment in hospitals last year, compared to this year, when 10 infected children were admitted to hospitals between January and March, so it is likely that the numbers will increase.

Most of the infected children are aged between 5 and 11 years. They can develop severe symptoms, while the treatment is more complicated than that for adults.

Meanwhile, the development of COVID-19 vaccines for children around the world is still in the trial stage, which is a slow process to ensure its safety.

While Pfizer has announced that its third phase development of COVID-19 vaccines for children is showing impressive results, such vaccines are not yet available in any country.