Romania becomes 1st EU country to vaccinate children against Covid-19

Bucharest, Jun 2 (EFE).- Romania on Wednesday became the first European Union member to administer BioNTech/Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine to the 12-15 age group.

Parents who want to vaccinate their children can apply online or head directly to any of the inoculation centers, sources inside the Bucharest campaign told Efe.

Over 2,000 children aged between 12 and 15 years old have registered online to receive the first jab.

The European Medicines Agency on Friday approved the use of the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine for the over 12s.

The European Center for Disease Control, however, recommended in a report issued on Tuesday that the health situation for older people should be analyzed before administering jabs to the 12-18 age group.

 “Equity issues concerning vaccine availability and access need to be carefully considered when deciding on the expansion of COVID-19 vaccination to groups with lower individual risk of severe disease,” the ECDC said.

Rares, 14, was among the first children of his age group to be injected with the vaccine during the official unveiling of the campaign at a Bucharest park.

“I want to get vaccinated so we can go back to living like before,” said Rares, accompanied by his mother, Doctor Sandra Alexiu.

Romania’s health authorities opened the door for all age groups to get vaccinated to speed up the process.

Some 40% of the urban population has received at least the first jab in Romania, a figure that drops to 10% in rural areas.