Vaccination of children commences tomorrow (24)

The vaccination of children will commence tomorrow in three stages with priority for those who are suffering from long-term illnesses.

The details of the vaccination programme were spelt out at a media conference organised by the Presidential Media Division. The event was held online.

State Pharmaceutical Corporation Chairman Dr Prasanna Gunasena, Government Medical Officers Association President Dr Anuruddha Padeniya, North Western Province Health Director Dr Sampath Indika Kumara and Child Specialist Prof Pujitha Wickremesinghe addressed the event.

They said that children with long-term illnesses between ages 12 and 19 would be vaccinated first at the Lady Ridgeway hospital from tomorrow onwards. Following which healthy children between the ages of 15 and 19 would be vaccinated within hospitals islandwide. Lastly children aged 12 to 15 would be vaccinated once specialist recommendations are received.

The medical specialists assured that children would be vaccinated under the supervision of a specialist doctor, and therefore people need not fear. They said people should not believe rumours, and get their children vaccinated.

Dr Padeniya said that children suffering from diabetes, neurological disorders, kidney disease, heart disease, Thalassemia and urine and digestive system issues would be given priority.

He said they have already made arrangements to carry out vaccination for children at provincial, district and main hospitals in the upcoming days, parallel to the programme carried out at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital.

Dr Padeniya said that they would provide a direct hotline for the public to call if any complications occur to a vaccinated child. He added that specialist approval has been given to vaccinate children within hospitals. He also said that the specialist committee has approved only the Pfizer vaccine to be given to children.