COVID VACCINE OBLIGATORY IN ECUADOR FROM AGE OF 5

Fri 24 December 2021:

Ecuador is the first country to mandate Covid vaccines for children as young as five years old. “Vaccination against Covid-19 has been made mandatory in Ecuador,” the health ministry stated in a statement. This comes when the Omicron variant is becoming increasingly feared.

While speaking to AFP, the ministry said, “Compulsory vaccination applies to persons five years and older.”

The population of the South American country is 17.7 million people, with 69 percent having taken two doses. The booster dose has been given to almost 900,000 patients.

According to the ministry, only persons who need the vaccine for medical reasons would be excused. So far, approximately 540,000 cases have been reported in the South American country, with 33,600 deaths.

A week ago, the country saw its first Omicron case. Since then, residents have been required to get vaccinated before visiting public areas such as restaurants, movies, shopping malls, and theaters.

Meanwhile, numerous European countries have begun vaccinating youngsters against the coronavirus. In both Belgium and France, authorities have stated that children aged 5 to 11 are now eligible for a voluntary Covid vaccination.

“We have observed that 80 per cent of children with severe forms had no comorbidities,” said the French National Authority for Health (HAS).

Vaccinating children “could diminish the virus’s circulation in schools and reduce the risk of classroom closures,” it added.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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