Vientiane, Feb 16 : The Lao government will begin a nationwide rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations for children between 6-11 years of age in March to reopen schools safely, local media reported on Wednesday.
Local daily Vientiane Times quoted Deputy Manager of the National Immunization Program, Chansai Pathammavong, as saying that a total of 9,57,000 children in this age group will be vaccinated, and it is hoped that the vaccination of young children will encourage other family members to get vaccinated.
The vaccination of all children aged 6-11 will begin in Lao capital Vientiane, while provinces that are ready may also go ahead with immunisation, Xinhua news agency reported citing Chansai.
Inoculations will be given to children only if their parents give their consent.
The ministry will map out a vaccination plan while the education and sports ministry will inform parents about the importance of vaccination.
The health ministry also instructed local authorities and health officials to review the progress made in vaccinating people aged 12-17 and to ensure that jabs are administered to those who are still unvaccinated.So far, 65.74 per cent of the eligible population have received their first jabs, while 57.86 per cent have completed two doses, according to the National Taskforce Committee for Covid Prevention and Control.
/bg
The health ministry also directed local officials as well as health officials to examine the progress made in the vaccination of people between the ages of 12-17 and to make sure that jabs are given to those who are unvaccinated.So so far, 65.74 percent of the population eligible for vaccination has been given their first shots while 57.86 percent have received two doses according to the National Taskforce Committee for Covid Prevention and Control.
