The Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians has enlisted the conditions a child 12 years and above should have in order to be eligible to receive the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
Consultant Doctor Rajeev Menon said parents with children aged 12 or above have been urged to contact their respective Paediatricians prior to obtaining the vaccine for their children.
Following are the 12 conditions a child 12 years and above should have in order to obtain the Pfizer vaccine, according to doctor Menon.
1. Primary immune deficiency disorders
2.Acquired immune suppression due to disease or treatment:
·Haematological malignancies, including leukaemia and lymphoma
·Any other malignancy on radiotherapy or chemotherapy
·On biological therapy
·On high or moderate doses of steroids
On any other immune-modulating or suppressant drug like methotrexate, azathioprine, MMF, tacrolimus, cyclophosphamide
·Any transplant recipient
·Any condition which requires a long-term immunosuppressive treatment
3. Haematological conditions or other causes leading to asplenia or splenic dysfunction:
· Thalassemia major and intermedius
· Hereditary spherocytosis
· Sickle cell disease.
4. Endocrine disorders:
·Diabetes mellitus
·Addison’s disease
·Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
·Hypopituitary syndrome
·Other significant hormonal dysfunction
. Chronic neuro-disability:
·Cerebral palsy
·Autism
·Epilepsy,
·Neuro-degenerative diseases
·Neuro-muscular disorders.
6. Learning disabilities
·Down syndrome
·Severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities due to any aetiology.
7. Any other significant genetic and/or metabolic abnormalities that affect a number of systems.
8. Chronic heart disorders
·Unrepaired congenital heart diseases
·Repaired heart diseases with significant residual diseases or shunts
·Haemodynamically significant acquired heart diseases.
9. Chronic respiratory disorders
·Poorly controlled asthma which requires long term oral steroids/a history of severe asthma which required an ICU care
·Cystic fibrosis
·Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
·Interstitial lung diseases
·Significant bronchiectasis due to any aetiology
·Pulmonary hypertension
10. Chronic kidney diseases and nephrotic syndrome on regular follow up
11. Chronic liver diseases
12. Chronic gastrointestinal disorders including inflammatory bowel disease.
State Minister Professor Channa Jayasumana announced yesterday that the vaccine will be administered to the children from the said age group from Friday, the 24th of September 2021. (NewsWire)