As elementary school students throughout Taiwan begin getting vaccinated, schools are opening their doors to parents and teachers. But not all parents are agreeing to letting their children get jabbed. Itamar Waksman has the latest.
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These elementary school students in Chiayi County are rolling up their sleeves to receive Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.
As the first wave of students ages 6 to 11 throughout Taiwan began getting vaccinated, parents were invited to come to schools to accompany their children.
Chiayi County public health official Lin Yen-ting says that only a few students reported feeling dizzy.
In New Taipei City’s Dingxi Elementary School, students also began being vaccinated.
New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi and other officials came to observe the first day of vaccinations for young children.
Teachers and parents could be seen firmly holding students, helping them alleviate some of their anxieties.
Dingxi Elementary School Principal Ko Chi-yi said that about 30 percent of the school’s students had received permission from their parents to be vaccinated. He added that the school has around 800 students, meaning that over 200 will be vaccinated in the first and second waves.
There are over 200,000 students in New Taipei. The city government is coordinating with 21 medical institutions to provide vaccinations in schools.
As the vaccination drive starts, others are worried about a girl under the age of one who has developed more severe symptoms.
Expert pediatrician Huang Li-min says that doctors are first observing whether the girl develops pneumonia or other difficulties with breathing. They are also mindful of an infection spreading to her brain or to her heart.
Dr. Huang Hsuan recommends getting immediate medical help if a child has had a fever for over 48 hours or if they continue to experience weakness afterward.
While epidemiologist Ho Mei-shang recommends all children with chronic or autoimmune diseases be vaccinated.