Children will only be vaccinated when parents give their consent.

This was the affirmation made yesterday by the Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong.

He confirmed that the ministry has set aside the required number of Moderna Vaccine vials to ensure students aged between 15 to 17 years can receive both doses of the vaccine.

Dr Fong said the eligible children’s first dose vaccination was planned for rollout from Monday, September 20, 2021, and the second dose from Monday, October 18, 2021.

“A stringent process is in place to ensure that parental or guardian consent is secured, and online registration is encouraged before vaccination,” Dr Fong said.

“No vaccine will be given without the consent of parents or guardians,” he said.

“The ministry has set aside the required number of vials of Moderna vaccine to ensure that the target population between 15 to 17-year-olds can receive both doses of the vaccine.”

Like adults, Dr Fong said children could also experience the side effects of COVID-19 vaccination such as pain at the jab site, swelling, fever, and body aches.

“These symptoms should subside over a few days. Severe side effects are rare and the risk of getting a severe infection and succumbing to COVID-19 is still higher than the risk of adverse events from vaccination,” Dr Fong said.

“Therefore, parents and guardians are encouraged to agree for their children to be vaccinated to protect them from COVID-19.”

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