Chloe Ramirez
In 2021, Costa Rica became the first country in the world to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for children as young as five. This decision was based on the determination by the Food and Drug Administration that the vaccine was around 91% effective in preventing COVID-19 in young children, with no serious side effects observed. However, as of December 2022, vaccinating children under 12 against COVID-19 is no longer mandatory in Costa Rica following a court suspension. For children aged 12 to 17, the COVID-19 vaccine remains mandatory, but this has also been contested in court. In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine, Costa Rica also mandates several other vaccines for minors, including those against chickenpox, polio, and the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for children | Yes, for children aged 12 and above. For children under 12, it is no longer mandatory as of December 2022. |
| Basic childhood vaccinations mandatory | Yes, for chickenpox, polio, HPV, and more |
| COVID-19 vaccine mandate for public venues | Yes, proof of vaccination is required to enter most public venues |
| COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in children | Around 91% effective in preventing COVID-19 in young children |
| Side effects | No serious side effects found by researchers |
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What You'll Learn
- COVID-19 vaccines were mandatory for Costa Rican children aged 5-11
- COVID-19 vaccines are no longer mandatory for children under 12
- Vaccines against chickenpox, polio and HPV are mandatory
- COVID-19 vaccination status required for public venues
- Costa Rica was first country to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for children
COVID-19 vaccines were mandatory for Costa Rican children aged 5-11
In November 2021, Costa Rica became one of the first countries to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for children aged five and above. The mandate was issued by the country's Health Ministry, adding COVID-19 to the list of diseases that children are required to be vaccinated against, including polio and smallpox.
At the time of the announcement, Costa Rica had already been vaccinating citizens and residents aged 12 and older, with nearly three-quarters of 12 to 19-year-olds having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. The country intended to homologate the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines for younger children.
However, in December 2022, a Costa Rican appeals court ordered the suspension of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for children under 12 years of age. The government's decision was challenged as premature, as the pediatric vaccine had only received emergency use authorization from the FDA in August 2021. As of December 2022, vaccinating children under 12 against COVID-19 is no longer mandatory in Costa Rica, but vaccination remains mandatory for those aged 12 to 17.
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COVID-19 vaccines are no longer mandatory for children under 12
In Costa Rica, COVID-19 vaccines are no longer mandatory for children under 12 years of age. On December 8, 2022, a Costa Rican appeals court ordered the suspension of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for this age group. The court's decision was based on the argument that the pediatric vaccine only had emergency use authorization from the FDA and that its mandatory nature was premature.
Costa Rica was the only country mandating COVID-19 vaccination for all its citizens, including those under 18. The government's decision to make the vaccine compulsory for children under 12 had been controversial, with many adults hesitant to vaccinate their children due to concerns about efficacy and safety. The government purchased 1.5 million pediatric vaccine doses at a cost of over $15 million, but the vaccines had a low uptake, and many expired before they could be used.
Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 was found to have only 12% efficacy, according to the company's February 2022 announcement. This further contributed to hesitancy among parents. The government's decision to purchase the vaccines before receiving emergency use authorization from the FDA and the low efficacy of the vaccines in this age group led to criticism of the government's handling of the situation.
While COVID-19 vaccination is no longer mandatory for children under 12 in Costa Rica, it is still compulsory for those aged 12 and above to enter many businesses and public places. The government continues to vaccinate citizens 12 and older, with nearly three-quarters of 12- to 19-year-olds having received at least one dose as of November 2021.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that it does not ethically recommend COVID-19 vaccines be compulsory for children due to the lack of data on safety and efficacy in this population. The possibility of serious health effects has not been ruled out, and the Court's decision to suspend mandatory vaccination for children under 12 in Costa Rica aligns with this recommendation.
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Vaccines against chickenpox, polio and HPV are mandatory
In Costa Rica, vaccines against chickenpox, polio, and HPV are mandatory for minors as part of the basic table of vaccines established by the CNVE. The country's Health Ministry has stated that these measures are taken to "safeguard" the best interests of children, and parents or legal guardians are responsible for ensuring that minors receive their vaccinations in a timely manner.
In addition to these routine immunizations, Costa Rica made headlines in 2021 when it became the first country in the world to include the COVID-19 vaccine in its list of mandatory vaccinations for children. This decision was met with some controversy, with a Costa Rican appeals court suspending the mandate for children under 12 in December 2022. Despite this, COVID-19 vaccination remains mandatory for older minors, with nearly three-quarters of 12 to 19-year-olds in the country having received at least one dose.
While some individuals express concerns about vaccine mandates, health experts emphasize the importance of safeguarding children's health and normalizing vaccines, especially in light of the likelihood that COVID-19 will continue to circulate. The country also requires certain vaccines for travelers, including polio, chickenpox, and MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella).
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COVID-19 vaccination status required for public venues
In Costa Rica, COVID-19 vaccines are mandatory for children between the ages of 12 and 17. In 2021, Costa Rica became the only country in the world to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for all minors, including those under 12. However, in December 2022, a Costa Rican appeals court ordered the suspension of mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 for children under 12.
As for the general public, Costa Rica has implemented a mandatory vaccination scheme for public sector workers. A decree, which came into force on October 15, 2021, states that public sector workers must be vaccinated when invited, with exceptions for those with medical conditions that preclude vaccination. The decree also gives private sector employers the option to make vaccination mandatory within their workplaces.
Additionally, as of January 8, 2022, a full vaccination scheme is mandatory to enter many businesses in Costa Rica. Individuals need to present a QR code that confirms their vaccine status to enter most public establishments.
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Costa Rica was first country to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for children
In November 2021, Costa Rica became the first country in the world to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for children as young as five. The Central American nation ordered that parents ensure their children receive the jab, with the requirement for children to receive the COVID vaccine made "in the best interest of boys, girls, and adolescents".
The Costa Rican Health Ministry's announcement stated that the jab would join the list of basic childhood vaccinations already required by law, such as those against chickenpox, polio, and HPV. The vaccination of young children was initially set to begin in March 2022.
The decision was based on the determination by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the vaccine was around 91% effective in preventing COVID-19 in young children, with no serious side effects found by researchers. The immune response in young children was comparable to that seen in people aged 16 to 25.
However, the mandatory nature of the vaccination program sparked controversy, with some arguing that the government's decision was premature as the vaccine only had an emergency use authorization granted by the FDA in August 2021. On December 8, 2022, a Costa Rican appeals court ordered the suspension of the mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 for children under 12 years of age.
More recently, on March 15, 2023, a Costa Rican court suspended the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for minors, specifically for children aged 12 to 17, citing serious doubts about the constitutionality and legality of the mandate.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Costa Rica mandates several vaccines for children, including those against chickenpox, polio, and HPV.
In March 2023, a Costa Rican court suspended mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for minors, specifically for children aged 12 to 17. Prior to this, COVID-19 vaccination was mandatory for children aged 5 and above in Costa Rica.
The Costa Rican Health Ministry ordered that "the parents or legal guardians are legally responsible for ensuring that the mandatory vaccination of minors is carried out in a timely manner" while also ensuring "the guarantee of the right to health and life of children and adolescents." The vaccines were determined to be around 91% effective in preventing COVID-19 in young children, with no serious side effects found.
Many adults did not want to vaccinate their children, especially since Pfizer revealed that COVID-19 vaccines had only 12% efficacy in children aged 5 to 11. There was also opposition based on the argument that the government's decision was premature, as the vaccine only had an emergency use authorization.
Yes, starting from December 1, 2021, Costa Rica required proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter most public venues, including restaurants, bars, and schools. However, essential services such as grocery stores and pharmacies were excluded.
