Ludorf Iyambo

Only 34 children have been vaccinated thus far, one month after the Ministry of Health and Social Services expanded its vaccination legibility to children and adolescents aged 12-17 years.

The statistics show that 15 children aged 12-13 and 19 aged between 14-17 have been jabbed with the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

The vaccine is administered in two doses. Each dose is 0.3 ml. the second dose is given 21 days after the first dose. The ministry further announced that the vaccine is available at all vaccination sites across the country.

The ministry stated that consent to vaccinate children aged 12-13 shall be obtained from parents. Meanwhile, adolescents aged 14-17 will be permitted to consent by their own volition.

Parents who spoke to The Villager stated that they would not consent to have their children be vaccinated; however, some were open to the idea.

“It seems like the vaccination is not even working for the big people; why do I have to allow my kids to get vaccinated?” said one parent.

“We have heard that people who are fully vaccinated are the ones now at risk of getting the new variant, so it is de-motivating to risk the health of my kids, one parent told The Villager.

Another stated, “I will allow my kids to get vaccinated because the vaccine helps prevent or reduce the spread of the COVID-19. Like adults, children also can transmit the coronavirus to others if they are infected even when they have no symptoms”.

The concerned parent further stated that “getting the COVID-19 vaccine can protect the child and others, reducing the chance that they transmit the virus to others, including family members and friends who may be more susceptible to severe consequences of the infection”.