Pfizer Vaccine Opens Door to Teen Vaccination

Michel Chebat

Over the weekend, on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, a decision was taken by the Ministry of Education to push back the start date for in-person learning at schools. The change is due to the increasing number of COVID-19 numbers and the new variants identified in the country.  With G.O.B. now in receipt of the Pfizer vaccination, which is the only vaccine approved by the CDC for children twelve years and older, Chebat says it creates opportunities for the education system and Belizean families.

Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness

“The decision came when we were finally able to get an arrival date for the vaccine. Once we had that, we immediately engaged the Ministry of Education to push back the start date to the face-to-face. This Pfizer vaccine gives us an opportunity to protect our kids between twelve to eighteen years old. And what we are trying to do is give all of our children the best possible opportunity. We all know that our kids have been out of school for the past year. It has affected them personally, socially, psychologically and so for us it is important to get them back into school and this Pfizer vaccine will help us to get them back in the safest possible way.”

Duane Moody

“How will that vaccination campaign look because I’m guessing that it would be up to the parents to decide whether their children would?”

Michel Chebat

“Right. Well we cannot impose the vaccine. We have not imposed the vaccine on anyone. And if as an adult, you are super careful; with your children, you are going to be even more careful and at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, we are fully aware of this. We are making all of our doctors available to answer the questions that parents may have. We are working with the principals to try to share as much information as we can so that parents can make an informed decision for their children.”