With initial Sri Lankan COVID Vaccination targets are rapidly approaching the discussion has now moved on to vaccinating school children of the country with the target of starting the schools. In this article we try to look at some of the other countries that have commenced vaccinating school children against COVID 19.
The WHO stance
Although the World Health Organization has not yet fully recommended the Kovid 19 vaccine for children over 12 years of age, it has advised that the vaccine be given to children with needs.
“Children and adolescents tend to have milder disease compared to adults, so unless they are part of a group at higher risk of severe COVID-19, it is less urgent to vaccinate them than older people, those with chronic health conditions and health workers. “
“More evidence is needed on the use of the different COVID-19 vaccines in children to be able to make general recommendations on vaccinating children against COVID-19.”
“WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) has concluded that the Pfizer/BionTech vaccine is suitable for use by people aged 12 years and above. Children aged between 12 and 15 who are at high risk may be offered this vaccine alongside other priority groups for vaccination. Vaccine trials for children are ongoing and WHO will update its recommendations when the evidence or epidemiological situation warrants a change in policy.” The WHO website says in a statement updated on July 14th 2021.
However, many countries are already implementing Kovid vaccination programs targeting all children over 12 years of age.
CHINA
In June China approved emergency use of both Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines on 3yr to 18 yr age group. Both manufacturers have confirmed the efficacy and safety of their vaccines on children after the clinical trials conducted by them. But exact details of the progress of their vaccination campaign is not available as of yet.
INDIA
Even though the government of India has not yet commenced vaccinating children and teens against COVID 19, a special program to vaccinate children in the 12-17 age group who have co-morbidities like obesity, heart disorders, or immunodeficiency will be implemented by October-November 2021. In this initial round of vaccination the newly developed DNA vaccine ZyCoV-D will be used as it is the only vaccine developed and manufactured in India that has been approved for use in children. Ones enough vaccine lots are available within the first quarter of next year, the rest of the population from the 12-17 age group in India will be vaccinated, Times of India reported quoting a senior official.
European Countries
Following clinical trials The European Medicines Agency (EMA) have approved both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for the 12-17 age group, and many countries have already commenced vaccinating children from that age group using different approaches. Given below are the percentages of total population between 12-18 yrs old that have received at least one dose of the COVID 19 vaccine (Source – Euronews).
Denmark – 58.2 %
Italy – 49.86%
France – 56%
Spain – 55.4%
Poland – 29.89%
Switzerland – 32%
USA
USA officials approved vaccinating 12-15 age group with Pfizer vaccine on May this year. And so far, 44.63% of the 12-15 yr age group and 52.21% of the 16-17 yr age group have been given at least single dose of the COVID 19 vaccine. U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved the Pfizer vaccine for the 12-18 age group and the officials are now looking at extending the vaccination program to children below 12 yrs using the same vaccine.
Sri Lanka – Do We Have a Proper Plan in Vaccine Roll Out?
Many arguments popped up recently highlighted the lack of proper planning in Sri Lanka’s vaccine roll out process. Country now uses five different types of COVID vaccines in their vaccination program, and we can see different vaccine types being administrated in different localities. For an example Pfizer vaccine has been issued in Mannar and Hambanthota Districts while AstraZeneca vaccine has been issued in Kegalle district. But many say that vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna, which are considered to be the most effective and are being used successfully in other countries, should be released for those at higher risk age groups(adults and children) and in patients with chronic illnesses.
