As classrooms across Asia reopen amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the focus has been on vaccinating teachers and school staff to ensure a safe learning environment. However, the question on many parents’ minds remains: when will children themselves receive the vaccine?
While adults have been prioritized in vaccination campaigns, children have largely been excluded from immunization programs. This is due, in part, to the initial clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines primarily involving adult participants. As a result, there is limited data on the vaccines’ safety and efficacy in younger populations.
Several countries in Asia are now initiating trials and studies to address this gap. In the Chinese mainland, for instance, vaccine developers have begun clinical trials involving children aged 3 to 17. Similarly, India is conducting pediatric trials with the aim of extending vaccination coverage to minors in the near future.
“Children can be carriers of the virus, even if they are less likely to experience severe symptoms,” says Dr. Aisha Nakamura, a pediatric infectious disease specialist based in Tokyo. “Vaccinating them is a crucial step toward achieving herd immunity and controlling the pandemic.”
However, challenges remain. Regulatory approvals for vaccinating children require rigorous testing to ensure safety. Additionally, vaccine hesitancy among parents and logistical issues in administering doses to younger age groups need to be addressed.
As vaccination efforts continue to accelerate across Asia, health authorities are optimistic. “Our goal is to have a safe and effective vaccine available for children by early next year,” reports the Ministry of Health in Singapore. “Protecting our youth is essential for the full recovery of our society.”
Until then, schools are implementing strict health protocols, including mask mandates, regular sanitization, and social distancing measures, to minimize the risk of outbreaks. Parents and educators alike are hopeful that the advent of vaccines for children will mark a significant milestone in the fight against COVID-19.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
