Around the world, many people, including expats, are against COVID-19 vaccination, but the rapid spread of the 鈥淒elta鈥� variant has become a serious concern for many countries. Some of them are even considering making COVID-19 vaccination compulsory for children as borders are reopening and international flights are resuming.
While some have simply cancelled or postponed their travel and international relocation plans until better days come, others have already starting to pack their suitcases and booked their flights. Obviously, they are aware of the risks of COVID-19 contamination and of the importance of being fully vaccinated since this is one of the essential entry conditions in several countries currently. Even if some countries still accept negative PCR tests carried out within a certain timeframe, others require travellers to be fully immunised with an approved vaccine. In Europe, for example, the European Medicines Agency only recognises four vaccines, for now, namely Pfizer / BioNTech, Moderna, Vaxzevria from AstraZeneca and Janssen from Johnson & Johnson. But what about children who are accompanying their parents overseas?
Currently, entry conditions for children are still unclear in many countries. Some of them require negative PCR tests for children, including infants. But as the 鈥淒elta鈥� variant spreads around the globe -- a variant considered as particularly dangerous for young children -- more and more countries are considering the vaccination of children. China, for example, gave its approval for the vaccination of children from the age of 3 in its efforts to contain the pandemic. Besides, the Sinovac vaccine has been tested on minor children as well as on young adults. But although the vaccine is strongly recommended, children's vaccination will be done voluntarily, as is the case with other vaccines.
France is also considering making COVID-19 vaccination compulsory for children. Fran莽ois Bayrou, who is at the head of the MoDem, recently expressed his fears regarding the vulnerability of young children. However, he also believes that people currently have an "unreasonable fear" of the vaccine, which is preventing them from getting vaccinated. So the question of getting their children vaccinated does not even arise. Still, the Minister of Health, Olivier V茅ran, stated last week that COVID-19 vaccination is not compulsory for the population in general. So this topic needs to be debated before a decision can be taken.
On June 15, France authorised the vaccination of teenagers aged 12 to 17 with their parents' consent. However, only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is currently approved for minors. Moreover, during the holiday season, vaccinated teenagers can travel alone to visit their grandparents, for example, as long as they have their duly completed and signed parental authorisation for the COVID-19 vaccination. Note that the consent form has to be signed by both parents.
In the UK, according to a survey by YouGov, more than half of parents are in favour of vaccination for their children aged under 17. In fact, 59% of respondents have already been vaccinated against COVID-19. Only 18% of the parents surveyed are against the vaccination of children, while 29% have not decided yet. However, 29% of immunised parents are not sure they want to get their children vaccinated, while 12% are against it. It's currently being debated whether minors will be vaccinated since the UK has already approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for teenagers aged 12 and more.
In Belgium, especially in the Flemish Region, the government is advocating for the vaccination of all children aged 12 to 15 as soon as possible. On June 23, the Belgian Council of Health Ministers also approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for teenagers aged 12 to 15, but only for those with comorbidities. Vaccination is also open to teenagers aged 16 to 17. Unlike Australia, where the vaccination of adults is currently a priority. The Australian government made it clear that children and teenagers would not be vaccinated before 2022 despite the spread of the "Delta" variant on its territory.
Children's immunisation against COVID-19 around the world has become a serious concern all across the globe, even in the Middle East. Kuwait, for example, only accepts the entry of foreign nationals who have been fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine. And that's not all! Immunisation with an approved vaccine is also required for teenagers aged 12 to 15. Regarding expats who will soon be leaving the country, they must ensure that their children aged under 15 have been immunised before August 1, 2021, to be allowed to travel.
COVID-19 vaccination: a parental choice?
If you are planning to travel and relocate overseas, make sure to check the entry requirements for children and teenagers in your destination country. COVID-19 vaccination may be recommended or even mandatory for them. Either way, although the choice is yours, as responsible parents, be sure to talk to them about it first. Ask your children's opinion on the COVID-19 vaccine and explain the benefits as well as the risks. Even though the death and infection rates for children are relatively low compared to adults, prevention is better than cure.
