Recommendations for the urgent need to vaccinate school-aged and adolescent children against COVID-19 in the Asia–Pacific region

• Published in: Tropical Medicine and Health
• Main Authors: Jun Kobayashi, Rie Takeuchi, Fumiko Shibuya, Yuki Murata, Kenzo Takahashi
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2021
• Subjects: COVID-19; Vaccine; Adolescent; School-aged children; Asia; Western Pacific region; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic; Pacific
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-021-00365-5; https://doaj.org/article/6633923e3ef04627b0bfa8e627205f88

Abstract We recommend urgent expansion of a vaccination program for adolescents and school-age children against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Western Pacific region. Since July 2021, SARS-CoV-2 infections in children have increased rapidly in this region. As infection rates rise due to the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, current preventive strategies such as mask wearing and social distancing have controlled its spread effectively. Prolonged school closure is currently being promoted to suppress virus spread among children. However, the negative impact of prolonged school closure is significant. Although vaccination of children under 12 is still controversial, preparations must be made now for their vaccination.