• Vaccines like Sinovac and Pfizer are given to school children in some  countries and discussions are being held at present in this  regard

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

As the COVID-19 vaccination drive on people aged 30 is on the move at present in the country, authorities are considering vaccinating children below the age of 18.   

State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana said yesterday that they had not yet received any recommendations with regard to vaccinating children below the age of 18.  
“However, the vaccines like Sinovac and Pfizer are given to school children in some countries. Accordingly, discussions are being held at present in this regard,” he underlined.  

“The President has also given the relevant instruction to look into the possibility of offering the COVID vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 18,” he added.   Against this backdrop, it should be noted that the authorities have not yet made any statement with regard to vaccinating individuals between the ages of 19 and 29.   Meanwhile, the State Minister said the majority of people above the age of 60 had been vaccinated in the Western Province and added they were accelerating the vaccination drive for individuals above the age of 30. 

• The authorities have not yet made any statement with regard to vaccinating individuals between the ages of 19 and 29