Doha: Children under 12 years of age are the most vulnerable to contracting the coronavirus (Covid-19) and transmitting it to others and few children end up being admitted in hospital, especially those who have chronic diseases, Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) said in a programme in Qatar TV yesterday.
“We do not yet know the long-term effect on children who contract the virus. There are several research in several countries on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine for children. Pfizer vaccine was recently used for children between 5 to 12 years old, and this was important news and a step forward in the fight against the epidemic,” he added.
“If most children from 5 to 12 years are vaccinated, globally or in Qatar, it will significantly reduce the spread of the virus in the initial stages,” Dr Khal said in the programme.
