Expedite study on Covid-19 vaccines for under-18s, urges Rina Harun

PETALING JAYA: Expedite the study of Covid-19 vaccine administration for those under the age of 18, urges Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun.

The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said that at this moment, the efficacy of the various Covid-19 vaccines for children below 18 was still being studied.

“My ministry will be in touch and will cooperate with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry; Health Ministry; and the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee to ensure that the welfare and health of the children in this country will be safeguarded.

“As the Minister in charge of the welfare, development and wellbeing of children in the country, I reiterate the call to all parents and guardians to adhere to the standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the National Security Council, ” she said in a statement Saturday (June 5).

She added that this includes refraining from taking children to crowded areas, ensuring that children are in safe and healthy environments, maintaining the children’s hygiene, and organising fun indoor activities.

She also advised parents and guardians to teach children to practise the 3Ws (Wash hands, Wear masks, Warn about Covid-19) as well as to avoid the 3Cs (Crowded places, Confined spaces, and Close conversations).

Parents and guardians, she added, must also arm children with an understanding and awareness about Covid-19 and must themselves get Covid-19 related information from credible sources.

“We must carry out our duties in upholding the welfare and wellbeing of children in the country, especially so during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“At the same time, I will also be donating toys to children with Covid-19 who are currently receiving treatment at Covid-19 quarantine and low-risk treatment centres, ” she said.

Earlier, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said an alarming 82,341 children had been infected with Covid-19 as of May 30.

Out of that figure, 19,851 cases involved children below four years old; 8,237 cases were of those aged five to six; 26,851 cases were among those aged seven to 12; and 27,402 were aged 13 to 17.

He had said that although there was no provision under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act that allows for compound notices to be issued to parents who take children to crowded places, investigation papers can be opened on parents who deliberately and continuously violate the SOPs.