FINALLY the time has come when children aged 5 –11 years old can received their first dose of the COVID–19 vaccine.
Many parents and guardians are expected to make bookings at the Wangaratta Vaccination Clinic, through their GP, or pharmacy.
It has been an anxious time for parents with children aged 5–11, with concerns about their vulnerability to the severities of COVID–19.
And now with schools expected to start back within two weeks there is further concern over the increasing case numbers at a time their children are not fully vaccinated.
Parents are urged to sit down and have a conversation with their children and talk through the vaccinations and what it involves.
The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre reports that overall children more commonly experience mild symptoms of COVID–19 disease compared with adults, however infection, particularly in adolescents, still occurs at similar rates.
Emerging variants of COVID–19 disease demonstrates a high transmissibility of infection across all age groups, including children.
There are certain medical conditions which may increase the risk of severe COVID–19 disease in children and these can include: obesity, Trisomy 21, immunosuppressive conditions, malignancies, diabetes, respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis and severe asthma, heart disease, chronic liver diseases, neurological conditions, and disability.
COVID–19 vaccination provides protection against severe COVID–19 disease and hospitalisation and is particularly important for those who have been identified at higher risk of severe disease.
