Sep 15, 20212 min read

COVID-19 in children - What we need to know

Children (aged 12 and below) have accounted for 0.6% of all local infection cases in Singapore, with 367 cases as of 15 Sep 2021. So far none of them developed severe illness requiring oxygen supplementation or ICU.

With COVID-19 cases recently increasing as we move towards and endemic stage, as well as the fact that children below 12 are currently not eligible for vaccination – should we be worried?

Most symptomatic children with COVID-19 recover within a week.

This is according to one of the largest studies done in the UK so far. Those that suffer from long lasting symptoms is low. The most common symptoms were headache (62%) and fatigue (55%).

The reason why children may be less likely to have “long COVID” may be due to their more robust innate immune response.

Will children (aged 12 and below) need to be vaccinated in the future?

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung has said that Vaccines for children below 12 could start early next year after trials and regulatory approvals are complete.

Here are some reasons why this may be needed:

1. Children can pass on the virus to vulnerable adults

Currently unvaccinated children form a big potential pool of COVID-19 spread which could in turn spread to households with vulnerable adults

2. There are immunocompromised children that may be at risk of severe illness from COVID-19

These include children with underlying medical conditions such as genetic neurological metabolic conditions - some degree of medical complexity - congenital heart disease, obesity, diabetes, asthma, chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease or immunosuppression.

3. Though a very low proportion of children infected with COVID-19 experience severe illness, this number could increase if there are rising cases amongst children

If your child has any upper respiratory tract symptoms (cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever etc.), you may walk in or arrange an appointment at our clinic for a consultation under the Flu Subsidized Scheme ($10).