Children aged 5 to 11 will start Covid vaccination in February

 

Children aged five to 11 years old will start receiving their Covid-19 vaccination in February.

The Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) said only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use in children aged five to 11.

“(The Pfizer vaccine) has been proven to be safe and effective.

“Children aged five to under 12 years old are encouraged to get the Covid-19 vaccine,” the JKJAV said in a Twitter post today.

Children with comorbidities and who are at high risk for severe Covid-19 will be prioritised.

However, children with a history of severe allergies or anaphylaxis against medicines, food, or unknown ingredients are not eligible for the vaccination.

Those who experience any allergic reactions within 72 hours after receiving the first dose of the vaccine or are allergic to any ingredients of the Covid-19 vaccine are also not eligible.

According to an infographic attached to JKJAV's post, children will receive a smaller dose of the vaccine, that is one-third of the dosage given to those aged 12 and above.

Common side effects in children are generally mild and moderate, it added.

It was previously reported on Jan 6 that the Drug Control Authority (DCA) has granted conditional approval to a low-concentration version of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11.

Medical experts have also previously said vaccinating children in the five to 11 age group is the best way to reduce the risk of infection among them.

They also said no adverse events have been reported in countries that have started administering the Covid-19 vaccine to young children. - Mkini