Over 1,000 children infected from COVID-19: Paediatrician

More than 1,000 children said to have been infected with COVID-19 and the Pediatricians request the Government to take necessary steps to vaccinate the children above 12 years of age.

Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said it is very important to vaccinate the children to protect them.

At this juncture where the virus is spreading rapidly, it could spread quite easily among the children in the future. Therefore, we should take appropriate and immidiate action to vaccinate them, as they are precious and are the future of our country, the doctor said.

"People should bear in mind if they want to safeguard their children, they mustn't take the virus home. Five children had already died due to the virus during the past one-and-a-half years," he said.

Taking preventive measure is much better than vaccinating children, the doctor advised.

"In cities like Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), they have started vaccinating the children. However, the Sinopharm vaccine can be given to children from 16 years and the Pfizer Moderna vaccine for over 12 years. But no side effects have been reported as per the reports issued by them," Dr. Perera added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)