Jabs for children over 12 will begin soon, says PM

By Norman Palihawadane

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says the government has planned to inoculate children over 12 years against Covid-19.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Southern Province Covid-19 Child Care Unit at the Hambantota Hospital via Zoom from his Tangalle residence, the Premier said children with various complications would be given priority.

The Covid treatment centres at the Hambantota Hospital commenced in March 2020. Since then, about 6,000 patients have been treated there.

With the establishment of the new unit, doctors say, it would be possible to pay special attention to children, the PM said.

Pediatric Units for Covid-19 treatment will be set up in every province.

Prime Minister Rajapaksa said that when the pandemic broke out, the government had closed schools for the safety of children.

“But we do not want to keep schools closed indefinitely. Books are not the only source of knowledge for children to face the future. In school, teachers teach us about life. It is more valuable for the future than it is today,” the Premier said.

“Therefore, the government has launched a programme to vaccinate children over 12 years of age as soon as the process of vaccinating teachers is completed.”

Commending the Sri Lanka Pediatric Association for its service to the country, the Prime Minister said the Association had been able to start a Covid treatment unit at the Hambantota Hospital for children, realising the government’s interest in protecting children from the Covid virus.