P-06-1266 Age appropriate testing for Covid in Children

Petitions4

This petition was submitted by Michelle Hurd, having collected a total of 376 signatures.

Text of Petition:                    

I would like the government to consider adopting a different method to testing children, an age appropriate PCR test nicknamed the lollipop test. All the children need to do is to suck on a cotton swab for about 30 seconds which is a much less distressing experience for them.

Additional Information:

I have found the testing of young children for COVID-19 a traumatic experience for both the child and the parent especially for younger children. This is only going to get worse with the flu and cold season upon us. Children who are prone to coughs end up regularly having to undergo the PCR swab test to be allowed back into school. The latter is a stressful experience, often distressing and as a parent the dilemma is whether to isolate your child even though they just have a cold merely to avoid testing. There is a better option which is used in Germany for children. It is an age appropriate PCR test nicknamed the 'lollipop' test and is highly reliable. I wonder why we do not offer this test in the UK and would ask the government to adopt it as a more humane way to test young children. We need to take the fear out of testing and now!

Status

This petition was considered completed by the Petitions Committee at its meeting on 25/04/2022.

The Committee considered the petition and noted that there are moves underway by the Welsh Government to make less invasive tests available later this year. The Committee agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner, in closing the petition the Committee agreed to provide the petitioner with the information that the Welsh Government is looking to bring in less invasive testing.

Full details of the consideration of this petition by the Committee and related documents can be seen on the Meetings tab above. It was first considered by the Petitions Committee on 25/04/2022.

Senedd Constituency and Region

• Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire
• Mid and West Wales

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