MoH rolls out COVID-19 jabs for children aged 12 and above

The Ministry of Health is offering the Sinovac vaccine for children aged 12 and above who are learning at Basic Education Middle School, the Basic Education High School, private schools and monastic schools, in a bid to ensure safe education life.
This vaccination programme will cover 1,886 elementary schools and BEHSs, 215 private schools and 165 monastic schools, totalling 2,266 schools.
The children get COVID-19 jabs at the designated place in line with the guidelines for the COVID-19.
Dr Lin Lin Chit, assistant director of Public Health Department, Chanayethazan Township, gave a remark that this time, the children are prioritized. Two doses can be extracted from a single vial of Sinovac. This move is to mitigate the risks and contain the spread of CVIDU-19. The kids were checked for temperature and blood pressure. They have to answer questions. They are asked to sit and wait a 30-minute observation period after the COVID-19 shot. Health awareness is also conducted during this period. We are responsible for the physical and mental development of children. Public obedience to health protocols is crucial in combating the COVID-19”.
The handwash basins are also installed at the designated place. Those eligible individuals must wear face masks and face shields. The health care staff and education staff help check blood pressure, blood oxygen, pulse and temperature before the COVID jab.
The staff asks for approval from the parents before administering the vaccine. The children are to be observed after the jab. For any emergency cases, the medical team is placed on standby.
U Maung Kyal, deputy director-general of Mandalay Region Education Administer office stated that the vaccine is planned for those who have enrolled on the school and attended the school. At present, the children who are attending the school in the current academic year are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination depending on the COVID-19 supply. The programmme is available until November. There are 161 designated places across Mandalay Region. The schools are expected to be reopened after they have been fully vaccinated”.
The fully vaccinated children can go back to school in line with health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health. Vaccination plans will proceed for the remaining students as well.
“I like to suggest my friends to get vaccinated. I feel safe now. I am also excited to return to school”, said a middle schooler from BEHS No.8 of Aungmyaythazan Township.
“The COVID-19 vaccines will help reduce the spread of the COVID-19. It will also support the children’s education and health. I am satisfied that the children can be vaccinated. I want to call for the fellow parents to trust in the vaccination and get their children COVID-19 shot”, said a parent.
This vaccination plan is aimed to create educational opportunities for the children, reduce the death rate, and contain the spread of the COVID-19 to the parents and the neighbours through children.—Min Htet Aung (Mandalay Sub-Printing House)/GNLM