Singapore to vaccinate children aged 12 to 15 against COVID-19

May 18, 2021 18:41

Singapore has decided to vaccinate students aged 12 to 15 following a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in schools in the city-state, local media reported on Tuesday.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that those aged 12 to 15 are to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech injection.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was previously given only to those aged 16 years and above.

Ong, who co-chairs the multi-ministry task force on COVID-19, said that the Health Sciences Authority's (HSA) decision was supported by the expert committee on COVID-19 vaccines here.

"Both teams (expert committee and HSA) have assessed that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine demonstrated high efficacy and safety for this age group," Ong said at a virtual press conference.

The Ministry of Education would work with the Ministry of Health to plan the vaccination programme for this age group, more details on which would be provided soon.

The announcement comes at a time when a number of schoolchildren have tested positive for the deadly virus.

Also at the press conference, MOH's director of medical services Kenneth Mak said more children have been infected with COVID-19 this year compared with 2020.

Mak said that children are less vigilant and disciplined when following safe measures. Vaccination, he noted, could protect not just children but also the adults around them.

But he added that the authorities have not yet decided whether to prioritise vaccinations for children, and that this decision would be made at a later date.

Finance Minister Lawrence Wong noted that Singapore has multiple tracks in its vaccination programme, including one that focuses on those in the education sector - teachers, staff and students.

Wong, a co-chairman of the task force, said that teachers have already been vaccinated along with students in university hostels.

These students were offered the shot due to the communal setting they live in, which poses a higher risk of infection.

"So both MOH and MOE will be now looking at vaccination as a next step under the education track for schoolgoing children, and we will update in due course," said Wong. -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Monsoon Will Be 'Above-Normal' This Year

It is in more than a decade that the IMD has predicted 'above-normal' rains in the country.

Long runway of growth for AMCs

Although net inflows into equity mutual funds deteriorated month-on-month (M-o-M) in March 2024 to Rs 22,576 crore (excluding Hybrid), down 15 per cent M-o-M (up 12 per cent Y-o-Y), asset management companies (AMCs) had a great year with...

How Priyamani Stays Fit And Gorgeous

The Maidaan actor shares her diet, fitness and fashion fundas with Rediff.com.

Did Patidar Bat Better Than Kohli?

Rajat Patidar completely overshadowed senior team-mate Virat Kohli with a blistering display of power hitting.

Attack on High Commission in London: NIA makes first arrest

NIA investigations in the case so far have revealed that the incidents in London on March 19 and 22 last year were part of a larger conspiracy to unleash vicious attacks on the Indian missions and its officials.