The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is now ready to begin the vaccination of children under the age of 18.

Permanent Secretary, Doctor James Fong says they will begin with children in the age group of 15 to 17 years.

Dr Fong says a stringent process is in place to ensure that parental or guardian consent is secured and online registration is encouraged before vaccination.

He says no vaccine will be given without the consent of parents or guardians.

The Permanent Secretary says the Ministry has set aside the required number of vials of vaccine to ensure that the target population between 15 to 17-year-olds can receive both doses of the vaccine.

Dr Fong says eligible children’s 1st dose vaccination is planned for rollout from coming Monday while the second dose begins on 18th October.

He says vaccination for children aged 15 to 17 years is safe and similar to adults, children can also experience the side effects of COVID-19 vaccination such as pain at the jab site, swelling, fever, and body aches.

He says these symptoms should subside over a few days.

The Permanent Secretary says 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 is encouraging parents and guardians to agree for their children to be vaccinated to protect them from COVID-19.