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Parents reluctant to vaccinate kids with cancer 

10 Oct 2021

By Dinitha Rathnayake The Covid-19 vaccination programme for 12-19-year-olds diagnosed with cancer, which commenced at the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital on 4 October, has seen some delays due to parents’ fears over getting their children vaccinated, according to consultant microbiologist in charge of the programme Dr. Samanmalee Gunasekera.  Speaking to the media yesterday (10) regarding the progress of the hospital’s vaccination programme, Dr. Gunasekara stated: “This vaccination process is not going fast because of the fears of parents. There is nothing to be afraid of. We only vaccinate children with the approval of a specialist. Those undergoing chemotherapy, especially, would need some time to recover, so get vaccinated.” She noted that under said programme, 60 children diagnosed with cancer have been vaccinated against Covid-19 with the Pfizer vaccine and have not developed any complications or allergies thus far, adding that parents should not be afraid to give the vaccine to their children, as the vaccination programme has been very successful.  The vaccination is only given with the approval of the oncologist treating each patient, she explained, and is an attempt to ensure the safety of the children, especially as they often visit the hospital for clinics and tests and are thus more liable to contract the virus. “Children from all over the country come to our hospital for treatment. Some children in the outlying areas had been vaccinated at hospitals in those areas. In case of any emergency, we have a separate team for that treatment as well,” Dr. Gunasekera added.  She also said the vaccine would be administered on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital, and there are no queues to get vaccinated.  The Covid-19 vaccination programme for children over 12 years of age who are suffering from chronic diseases commenced on 24 September from the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) in Colombo.


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