BY AISYAH AZZAHRA SUHIRI
KUCHING: Parents have mixed reactions to a proposal to vaccinate children under the age of 12 as announced by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Friday (Sept 24).
Khairy said his ministry was in discussion with a manufacturer to acquire -19 vaccines for children under 12 years old.
Most parents who were asked agreed that vaccines were needed to protect their children, and it is a way of adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
However, some feared the side effects as there was little information on the vaccination of children so far.
Mother of a nine-year-old boy, Catherine Singgal Nawoh, said vaccines should be administered to children aged 12 and below.
“As a mother, I will get my child vaccinated to boost his immune system since children have lower immunity which exposes them to the virus even more.” she said.
The 40-year-old teacher added that vaccines were crucial to ensure that children were protected from the Covid-19 virus besides maintaining the SOPs.
She pointed out that if children below the age of 12 were vaccinated, they would be able to attend school safely.
Another mother, Tracy Robert supported Catherine’s view.
“I will allow my children to be vaccinated since it increases their immunity level,” she said.
However, Tracy added that the public, especially parents, should always adhere to the SOPs.
“Vaccines are effective but they do not guarantee that our children will not be infected once exposed. It’s better for all to practise the SOPs and guide the children, too,” she said.
On the other hand, 34-year-old Sharifah Noorhidayah Wan Morsidi did not agree that Covid-19 vaccines shoud be administered to children below 12.
“I am worried about the side effects on my child,” she said.
