LNP - Vaccinating children above 12 still undecided: Sudarshini

Scientific researches carried out globally have underlined that COVID-19 vaccines may pose greater threat on children above 12 than coronavirus itself, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and COVID-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said. She told reporters today that vaccinating children above 12 years is still undecided in foreign countries and so in Sri Lanka. “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 the children. Sri Lanka has already commenced the vaccination drive on children aged 12 to 19 years who have comorbidities and disablilities.