The Government is to begin vaccinating children this weekend.

 

The vaccination of children aged 12 to 18 will commence this Saturday (August 28), as the Government focuses on inoculating the younger population.

 

The vaccination blitz follows the receipt of over 200,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine from the United States today (August 19).

 

Speaking at a press conference today, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton noted that the focus will be on students with co-morbidities and children preparing for exams.

 

 

Dr Tufton reiterated the need for the resumption of face-to-face classes this year.

 

 

He disclosed that vaccines will be administered at some major high schools and health centres across the island.

 

Dr Tufton noted that the Pfizer vaccine is the only one that is safe for use in children 12 years and over, resulting in children being prioritized.

 

Parents are being urged to turn up at vaccinations sites with their children, taking with them a government identification, or a letter from a Justice of the Peace.

 

Today’s shipment is the first of an overall 600, 000 doses to be received from the US.

 

As of this morning, the number of persons vaccinated was 420,627.

 

Some 282,583 were first dose and a 137,000 second dose with 969 persons being administered the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

 

The Government is seeking to inoculate some 700,000 citizens by the end of September.