Preparations in process for vaccination of schoolchildren

The Ministry of Health and the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control have asked education and sports officials around the country to work with local authorities to assess the number of schoolchildren aged 12 to 17 eligible for Covid vaccinations.
Vaccinations for children in this age bracket were first offered by hospitals last month.
Education authorities suggested vaccinations for schoolchildren after numerous problems were encountered with online classes, which have been recommended while schools are closed.

Unfortunately, many families have been unable to provide this kind of education for their children, while Internet access was patchy and unreliable in most areas.
The hope is that if sufficient numbers of children can be vaccinated, schools will be considered safe and allowed to reopen.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, Director General of the Department of Communicable Disease Control, under the Ministry of Health, Dr Rattanaxay Phetsouvanh, said the education ministry is working with other ministries to collect information about students who have been affected by the pandemic and have attempted online learning at home.
“We cannot say when or whether schools will resume on-site classes, as this depends on the amount of vaccine available for the vaccination of students,” he said.
However, the government may decide to allow schools to reopen based on the extent of problems experienced with online and on-air studies, as it is important that children do not fall far behind with the curriculum.
The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Sports hope to set a target month for the reopening of schools but a return to classes depends on the vaccine rollout, Dr Rattanaxay said.
The health ministry says inoculations will be provided only if parents give their consent. The jabs will first be given to students living in red zones.
“The health ministry will map out a vaccination plan while the education and sports ministry will pass on information about the importance of vaccination to parents,” Dr Rattanaxay added.
Familiarising parents about the need for immunisation will hopefully convince them to sign their children up for vaccination.
The Pfizer vaccine will be offered to any students aged 12 to 17 who have underlying health conditions. China’s Sinopharm vaccine and other types of vaccine will be offered to other students, in both state and private schools.
Children enrolled in educational establishments run by the education and sports ministry are also eligible for the vaccine.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update October 6, 2021)