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In an open letter relayed by Le Monde, seven learned pediatric societies expressed their fears about going back to school in the current epidemic context.
Back to school is not just a concern for parents. In an open letter distributed on Wednesday August 19 and relayed by Le Monde, seven learned pediatric societies expressed their concern about the resumption of school. In question, "The persistence of the circulation of the virus in France accompanied, in recent weeks, by a significant increase in the number of cases in certain regions. "
Health professionals want clear measures. According to them, the risk of occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 contamination in children as well as in adults is very real.
We can only be worried about the organization of the new school year as it looms, both in terms of prevention and in terms of child care.
Although the youngest are little affected by the epidemic (less than 5% according to Public Health France), we cannot indeed know how contagious they are after contracting the virus. For Professor Robert Cohen, pediatrician infectious disease specialist at the intercommunal hospital of Créteil and vice-president of the French Pediatric Society, it is necessary "Absolutely avoid saying that they are not contaminators. " According to a report by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), children with symptoms “Excrete the same amount of virus as adults and are therefore contaminants as adults are. "
Don't forget the vaccination
If they recognize that the health protocols put in place will reduce the transmission of the virus and winter epidemics, they will not be able to make them disappear. One of the concerns of pediatricians is the vaccination of children. It must be said that during confinement, many parents preferred to postpone their children's vaccines … pushing the doctors to sound the alarm bell. Many fear the rebound of other epidemics. “If SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate this winter, it will necessarily be added to the usual seasonal viruses (RSV, influenza, rotavirus, etc.). Difficulties are to be expected for young children who are each winter particularly affected by these viruses, especially those living in communities ”, they explain today.
They also state that they support "Fully position the Academy of Medicine to strengthen influenza vaccination and generalize rotavirus vaccination in small infants." "
Vaccinating children would also prevent automatic screening for coronavirus in the event of cough, fever or diarrhea. As well as emergency room visits and hospitalizations "At a time when the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 is likely to be intense again."
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