the current approach in England seems to be to let teenagers get on with it and see what happens once they’re infected
pediatricians argue that exposing children to a new virus with potentially long-term complications is a major risk that should be avoided
The UK government’s comparatively relaxed attitude may create a petri dish for Covid variants says an article in The Guardian.
Children at risk
The current approach in England seems to be to let teenagers get on with it and see what happens once they’re infected. The result will be an uncontrolled epidemic among younger age groups. By contrast, pediatricians in the US argue that exposing children to a new virus with potentially long-term complications is a major risk that should be avoided.
Vaccine not approved
Children under 12 are a trickier challenge for scientists and governments. No vaccine has been approved for use in this age group, although the results from early trials are promising. In Israel and the US, health authorities hope that vaccinating enough adults will suppress Covid-19 among children. While this seemed a valid approach against earlier variants, it may prove more difficult with Delta.
Consequence of relaxation
England is acting as a laboratory for other countries, which are watching to see what happens before they decide on their own policies towards children. The UK government’s comparatively relaxed attitude may also create a petri dish for Covid variants. The consequence could be a new variant that makes our current vaccines less effective or has more severe outcomes for unvaccinated children.
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Source: The Guardian
