The Health Minster today agreed with the proposal made by the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) to stop the use of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID vaccine for the age group 18 to 30 and to use it for the 12 to 18 age group, the GMOA said.

GMOA Secretary Dr. Shenal Fernando told the Daily Mirror that the agreement was made following a discussion held with the Health Minister this evening.

Dr. Fernando said a technical report was submitted to the Minister with the GMOA suggestions based on World Health Organisation (WHO), United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA USA) and the National Health Service of the United Kingdom (NHS UK) as well as the manufacturer's recommendations claiming that why the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine should be preserved for the 12-18 age category.

"The GMOA pointed out to the minister that the Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine can be used for the age group of 18 to 30. Parallel to the 18 to 30 age group vaccination rollout, the limited number of Pfizer vaccine stocks can be used for the 12 to 18 age groups. By October, the country will receive the balance four million Pfizer vaccines and that the said age category could be fully vaccinated," the doctor said.

Therefore, the GMOA requested the Health Services Director General to appoint a special technical committee and to study the scientific evidence and to get special approval to stop the use of the Pfizer vaccine for the age group of 18 to 30 and to use it for the 12 to 18 age group, he said.

"We have a well-trained staff for paediatric vaccination purposes. Paediatric wards can be used for the children who should receive the vaccine under the observatory, and MOH offices can be used for their safety. After vaccination, children will get their immunity. With the vaccination drive with other age groups, the number of COVID positive cases reported would be minimised and the schools would be open as soon as possible along with the opening of the country," Dr. Fernando said.

At least upper schools could be opened early, he said.

The vaccination for teachers and other school staff is about to finish with their second dose, so parents will get a confidence boost to send their children to school. No other vaccine is available for the use of the 12 to 18 age group and after the full vaccination of the children, we can reduce child mortality and morbidity, he said.

However, the health minister had agreed with the proposal and mentioned that he would brief the Presidential Task Force committee meeting which is scheduled to be held this Friday, Dr. Fernando added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)