The Canarian Government has announced that the vaccine programme on the islands will include children from 12 years old upwards once the target of vaccinating 70% of the population over the age of 16 is achieved.
The announcement follows the European Centre for Disease Control’s approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged between 12 and 16 years old last week. The UK also approved the same vaccine for children a few days later.
Canarian president Ángel Victor Torres said “There will be a second phase, which is fundamental, for children, who will be returning to school in September, and in accordance with scientific reports we’ll tackle this sector, always with the maximum scientific and sanitary safety.” Torres remains committed to the date of July 31st to reach the 70% vaccination target of over-16s.
Last week ended with six classrooms on Lanzarote in confinement, after children or teachers had tested positive or been identified as close contacts of active cases. There were a total of 30 active cases among schoolchildren and teachers last Friday, out of the overall total of 135 active cases on that day.
221 of the 1,565 cases currently active on the Canaries are under the age of 20, with just one in hospital. Two children under the age of 10 are included in the 772 Covid deaths on the Canaries since last March.
A vaccine programme for children may open the way to relaxation of the strict measures currently in place in schools, where mask use, disinfection, distancing and ventilation have become standard.
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