Riyadh: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be fit to administer in children of the age group 5-11. The Saudi Ministry of Health had sent a survey to parents last week about their views on vaccinating younger children.
The data provided by the company says that the vaccine meets special regulatory requirements. Global studies haven't detected any severe or unexpected complications resulting from vaccination in the 5-11 age group, reported Arab News.
Two weeks ago, the Saudi Ministry of Education had announced that children under the age of 12 will not be returning to school due to safety reasons. Dr Nezar Bahabri, the head of the Saudi Society for Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Jeddah, said that children tend to spontaneously mingle and play together. They need to return to schools but the chances of spreading infection are high.
Dr Bahabri said that specialist doctors in Saudi Arabia examine all the scientific and experimental evidence before reaching their conclusions. He added that the risk posed by coronavirus to children and adolescents is relatively low.
Dr Wael Ali Bajhamoom, an infectious diseases consultant and head of the internal medicine department at King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah, told Arab News that the country has made great progress in fighting Covid-19.
Many nations are turning their focus to vaccinating children after conducting research in safety and benefits.