CHILDREN have been missing out.
This because of the effects Covid-19 has had on their experiences, education, mental, emotional and physical health.
This is according to the Secretary of the Paediatric Society of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Mariama Alleyne at the Ministry of Health’s virtual media conference on Wednesday.
She said, “In addition to the medical implications of Covid we have all these other effects on children and we refer to it as the Covid-19 toll on children.”
Dr Alleyne said that Trinidad and Tobago has been lauded by the World Health Organization for it’s 90%.
But she said vaccine hesitancy could pose a problem.
She said that the Pfizer vaccine was the only one approved for the use in children over 12 years and that vaccinating would reduce not only the risk of children developing severe illness but the chances of them contracting or suffering from the Delta variant.
Dr Alleyne told parents who may have concerns about letting their child taking the vaccine to have a conversation with their family doctor or paediatrician.
She said especially the parents of children who may have a neuro-disability, chronic illness, obesity, Trisomy 21, immunosuppression or have profound multiple disabilities.
Dr Alleyne encouraged parents to give children fluids and rest after they received the vaccine.
She said children could be given ibuprofen or paracetamol for fever or discomfort.
Dr Alleyne said, “We know that traditionally the use of vaccines worldwide has been to curtail the spread and the severity of vaccine preventable diseases and it is no different with Covid-19.”
