Vaccinating children above 12 still undecided

• "COVID-19 vaccines may pose a greater threat on children above 12 than the coronavirus itself"
• The Technical Committee would put forward the relevant recommendations in due course, giving priority to the safety of children

By Sheain Fernandopulle

Scientific research carried out globally have underlined that COVID-19 vaccines may pose a greater threat on children above 12 than the coronavirus itself, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said. 

She told reporters yesterday that vaccinating children above 12 years is still undecided in foreign countries and it is so in Sri Lanka as well.

“The Technical Committee which decides on this, is still on the fence and has to carefully study the scientific research carried out on the matter,” she said. “The global scientists are of the viewpoint that children are more likely to be diagnosed with vaccine-related myocarditis than ending up in hospital with COVID-19,” she added.
Thus, the State Minister said the Technical Committee would put forward the relevant recommendations in due course, giving priority to the safety of children.

Sri Lanka has already commenced the vaccination drive on children between the ages of 12 and 19, who have comorbidities and disablilities.

• The Technical Committee which decides on this, has to carefully study the scientific research carried out on the matter