How COVID hit children - Simon Attard Montalto
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all countries, diverse populations and all strata of society. But what has been the impact on one of the most important groups, namely children, who make up 20-30 per cent of any given population?
Firstly, what has COVID-19 contributed in terms of direct sickness in children in Malta?
Although there have been several COVID-related hospital admissions, complications have been unusual or very rare and mortality zero among children.
Essentially, COVID is a (serious) disease of the elderly and most COVID-positive children are generally asymptomatic or only mildly affected. There have been fewer than six children in Malta with significant COVID-related illness. All have made a full recovery.
Similarly, there have been very few adverse events in those aged 12-16 who have received an anti-COVID vaccine. Again, all have recovered.
The pandemic has indirectly reduced illness in children, mostly the effect of social distancing measures and face masks that have significantly reduced the transmission of most other common respiratory viruses.
Hence, the past two winters have been relatively quiet in terms of paediatric workload both in and out of hospital.