Other good reasons for covid-19 vaccination in pre-adolescent and adolescent populations

In Wilkinson and colleagues’ article giving the reasons for and against covid-19 vaccination for children and adolescents it is surprising that the consequences of the “secondary pandemic” on this population were not taken into account. Indeed, there are several other good reasons for vaccination of the adolescent population, whose lives have been so badly affected by containment measures. Of special concern are the consequences on the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents: anxiety, depression, disturbances in sleep and appetite, isolation, and self-harm have been increasing, and the negative impact on children and adolescents’ mental health will continue for years. Prolonged school closures have produced dramatic learning loss, particularly among the most disadvantaged students, which will translate into an epidemic of school failures, drop-outs, and gloomy life perspectives