"We're dealing with a novel infection that we know can have consequences for children."
We all want to return to some form of normality after COVID-19 took over our lives in March 2020. Everyone has suffered and struggled in their own way over the pandemic so far, but there is a slight sense of hope in the air. As the vaccine rollout increases, people are slowly starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Thousands of teenagers lined up to get their vaccine at walk-in centres across the country and now it looks like 12-15-year-olds are set to be added to the vaccination list.
According to Niac, the vaccination will help teens get their normal lives back.
Professor Karina Butler, head of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, reassured parents in a new video.
“We feel it will be a step towards giving children the wider benefit and normalising their growing up and life experience as they have suffered greatly during the pandemic from all those extra curtailments on life.”
However, she said she understands that parents are hesitant about the vaccine.
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"I can understand why parents might be hesitant because this is a novel vaccine, but we're also dealing with a novel infection that we know can have consequences for children."
"We believe that the benefits outweigh the risks and thus we have recommended that the vaccine be made available for those aged 12 to 15 years of age."
She said, "The reason we've made these recommendations is to protect children from the very mild infections of COVID and from the very rare complications of COVID that can affect even healthy children rarely."
"We would absolutely encourage those who have underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk of Covid to avail of the vaccine as soon as it is offered."
“We would also strongly encourage parents of children who are living in households with anyone else who is vulnerable, either a younger child with an underlying health condition or perhaps an older adult who might not have responded as well to the vaccine, for example, if they had an immune-compromised condition, to avail of the vaccine as soon as they can.”
"Some children, mainly those with underlying conditions, can end up seriously ill," she warned.
She said that most children will only have mild symptoms, but there are rare complications like an inflammatory condition, which tends to occur weeks after infection. Children can also suffer from long Covid, she stressed.
The vaccination of children aged 12-15 is due to begin in the next fortnight.
