The thousand doubts that accompanied so many people before deciding to undergo the Covid-19 vaccination become millions when this choice concerns minor children.

It is a choice that puts anyone in crisis, even those who have well understood that the vaccine is the only weapon in our possession to try to make the coronavirus become a bad memory. For those who have not yet made a decision, it may be useful to read the opinion of the National Bioethics Committee (CNB) which recently gave its opinion on the subject of vaccines for minors. It was drafted by the president Lorenzo d'Avack, by the deputy vice president Laura Palazzani, with a working group made up of professors. Stefano Canestrari, Cinzia Caporale, Carlo Casonato, Antonio Da Re, Mario De Curtis, Paola Di Giulio, Gianpaolo Donzelli, Mariapia Garavaglia, Silvio Garattini, Assunta Morresi, Lucio Romano, Luca Savarino and with the wide participation of all the members of the Committee.

The CNB, first of all, reiterated that a priority must continue to be followed in the vaccination plan according to age groups and particular frailties, however it believes that the anti-Covid 19 vaccination on adolescents can safeguard their health and help contain the expansion of the virus from the point of view of public health, in particular with a view to returning to school.

Clearly, the information of families and children must be taken care of so as not to leave, where possible, doubts, fears and uncertainty. In its opinion, in fact, the CNB underlines "that the anti-Covid 19 vaccination of adolescents requires new and different attentions and forms of communication suitable for the age on the part of institutions and doctors". The information must be studied from time to time: “It must - says the Committee - be calibrated on the basis of the adolescent's age, with particular attention to the balance of risks and benefits, which is different from adults and the elderly. The information must also be addressed to adolescents, desirable through an information sheet before the vaccine, so that they can participate in an informed way. This information must be accompanied by actions to raise awareness and educate parents and teachers, with the activation of specific initiatives in the school. It is important to listen to the adolescent and to value his right to express his choice in relation to his capacity for discernment ”.

An appropriately informed adolescent can be capable of choices and the Committee pays great attention to this ability: "If the will of the great minor to get vaccinated were in contrast with that of his parents - we read - it is believed that the adolescent should be listened to by medical personnel with pediatric skills and that his will must prevail, as it coincides with the best interest of his psycho-physical health and public health ".

Then there are the minors for whom the parent is called to decide with even greater attention, if possible: "They are adolescents with pathologies and falling within the categories identified by the Ministry of Health (in an updated list), for which vaccination is recommended, the obligation of parents (legal representatives) to guarantee their children the best interest emerges in an even more pressing form; it is important to have recourse to the clinical ethics committee or to an ethical space and, as a last resort, to the tutelary judge.

What to do if the boy, despite the favorable opinion of his parents, does not want to get vaccinated? Is it right to oblige him? Experts say that reaching the obligation must be absolutely avoided: "In the case of the adolescent who refuses the anti-Covid 19 vaccination in the face of parental consent - it is emphasized - the Committee considers it important and desirable that the adolescent be informed that vaccination is in the interest of your health, the health of neighboring people and public health. Ultimately, however, it appears correct, from a bioethical point of view, not to proceed with the obligation to vaccinate in the absence of a law, but to put in place measures to safeguard public health. The CNB deems it appropriate that in the circumstances of conflict between the parties, the will is certified in order to explain their respective positions with the utmost clarity, also in order to better identify the conflicts in an attempt to reconcile them. From the bioethical point of view - this is the conclusion -, although there is no vaccination obligation in the absence of a law, the moral and civil duty remains, as authoritatively underlined by President Mattarella ”.

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