Experts: ‘Extend Christmas holidays at primary schools to reduce infections’

That is what a number of experts say today in the AD.

Significant increase

Last week, according to the RIVM, about 9,500 corona cases were reported between the ages of 5 and 9. That is an increase of no less than 85 percent. Several corona experts are concerned and ask the cabinet to consider a longer closure of primary education during the Christmas holidays. ‘Keeping primary schools closed for longer is an effective way to keep the virus under control,’ says immunologist Ger Rijkers. ‘Children are virus factories and infect adults as well as each other.’ Last year, schools were closed for weeks after the Christmas holidays.

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To vaccinate or not to vaccinate?

The experts are divided about vaccinating children. Pediatrician Illy, who speaks on behalf of the Dutch Association for Pediatrics, is not in favor. ‘5 to 12-year-olds have very little risk of severe Covid-19, MIS-C (a serious inflammatory reaction that can occur after a corona infection, ed.) or lung covid,’ says Illy. Rijkers is in favor. “Vaccination can absolutely inhibit the spread of corona,” he says.

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