英文

Editorial:Encouraging students to get the jab

【明報專訊】The Hong Kong government has decided to lower the minimum age for receiving the BioNTech vaccine to 12 and the arrangements concerned will be announced this week at the earliest. The lethality of the COVID-19 virus is the highest for elderly people. But that does not mean it is ''all right'' for minors to contract the disease. Some local cases of confirmed infection have shown that children and adolescents infected with the virus may develop serious complications and suffer from a sequela even after a recovery. Countries like the US, Canada and Singapore have already approved COVID-19 jabs for children aged 12 or above in accordance with the results of clinical trials. Local experts in the city also believe that most of the adolescents are suitable for the shot. The Hong Kong government should conduct publicity campaigns more adequately and offer explanations in greater detail to parents so as to reduce their vaccine hesitancy.

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