SIBU, Aug 17: Parents here are supportive of vaccinating adolescents aged between 12 and 17, whose Covid-19 vaccination programme will begin in September.
Many feel that after being vaccinated, their children will feel safer when school reopens on Oct 3.
A worker of a bottled water manufacturing factory who wished to be identified as Ho, said he would register his 17-year-old son to receive the Covid-19 vaccine once registration becomes available.
“My two other children aged 18 and 19 have received their first dose. My eldest daughter needs the vaccine as she will be going to Kuala Lumpur for her tertiary education,” he said.
Ho said though he was initially apprehensive about his children being vaccinated due to safety reasons, he nevertheless gave them the go-ahead to be inoculated.
“I have considered both the benefits and side effects of the vaccination for adolescents from numerous reports but at the end of the day, I feel that it is better that they go for it. So far they have not experienced any serious side effects,” he said.
A school canteen staff member Apple Lee said she had registered her youngest daughter, aged 17, to receive the vaccination after the government announced vaccination programme for people of her age group.
“I feel it is better for her to be vaccinated for obvious safety reasons, plus with the vaccination, she is also able to enter business premises that allow only vaccinated people,” she said.
A headmaster surnamed Ting preferred that SPM students be vaccinated first before the lower secondary and primary schools students.
“SPM students might have to attend school earlier than other students, hence they will have a higher chance of being exposed to the danger of contracting the coronavirus,” said Ting.
National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin said those with medical issue in this age group would be prioritised first.
They would then be followed by those without medical issues in descending order of age.
Khairy said an announcement will be made next week by JKJAV (the Special Committee for Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply) on how Covid-19 vaccinations for adolescents will be implemented and the latest updated clinical guidelines. — DayakDaily
