MELAKA – The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry hopes the study on Covid-19 vaccine application for children aged 12 to 17 can be expedited to protect the group, amid an increase in Covid-19 cases and deaths involving children in the country.
Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun said: “We hope the vaccine study for children can be expedited as we can see that other countries… are already administering vaccine to those aged 12 and above, such as in Singapore and the United States.”
This is to reduce the Covid-19 infection risk among children, thus protecting the group, she added.
For the record, a total of 147 children patients have been placed at the Covid-19 quarantine and low-risk treatment centre at the Melaka International Trade Centre to date, of which 99 are aged 12 to 17 and 48 are aged 12 and below.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba had earlier this week said until May 30, a total of 82,341 infants and children had been infected with Covid-19.
Dr Adham, in disclosing the grim figure, said of the total, 19,851 cases involve children below 4; 8,237 cases involve those aged 5 and 6; 26,851 (7-12); and, 27,402 (13-17).
All are Covid-19 patients in Categories 1, 2 and 3, however “no one is in the intensive care unit”, he added.
Rina urged parents to adhere to the set standard operating procedures, as well as teach children to practise the 3Ws (wash, wear and warn), avoid being in crowded places and adhere to physical distancing.
“We also hope more programmes for children will be aired on television throughout the movement control order so that they are not bored.” – Bernama, June 5, 2021
