Vaccinations of children between 12-19 years to commence today

The vaccinations of children between 12 and 19 years of age, against the coronavirus, will commence today.

Children will be vaccinated under three categories.

Accordingly, children between the ages of 12 and 19 with inherent and chronic illnesses will be vaccinated first.

Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva said the vaccination drive will be conducted in the Colombo, Gampaha and Kurunegala Districts.

The children will be administered Pfizer vaccine doses. He noted COVID-19 vaccines will be administered at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo, and at clinics in the other two districts.

Healthy children in the 15 to 19 age category will be vaccinated in future while the government said children between the ages of 12 and 15 will be vaccinated after clearance by specialist doctors.

Meanwhile, Director of the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital in Colombo Dr. G Wijesuriya said all children will be examined by a specialist doctor before being administered vaccines.

Dr. Wijesuriya said children with physical or mental disabilities, inherent illnesses or other illnesses will be administered Pfizer vaccine doses.

He said prior to being directed to be vaccinated children will be examined by a doctor in order to determine if they are eligible for the vaccine.

Dr. Wijesuriya claimed the only exception would be if a child at the time has a fever, nausea or diarrhea.