THE UK Government has decided not to vaccinate children and teenagers against Covid-19, reports say.
Ministers are said to be preparing to offer jags to those about to turn 18 and vulnerable 12 to 15-year-olds, but will not roll out the programme for those who don’t fit into those categories.
The Telegraph reported that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is believed to have advised ministers against rolling out the vaccine programme to youngsters until further evidence on the risks is available.
Health experts have called the move “baffling”. Teaching unions have pushed for all young people to be offered a vaccine – to protect them from serious illness and help minimise further disruption to schooling after three lockdowns.
READ MORE: Covid Scotland: Record number of children admitted to Scots hospitals
It is understood that under guidance being released tomorrow (Monday), vaccines will be offered to children between 12 and 15 who are vulnerable to Covid, live with immunosuppressed adults or are otherwise vulnerable to the virus. Seventeen year-olds within three months of their 18th will also be offered the jag.
The decision is at odds with other countries around the world. The US, Israel and France are routinely vaccinating children over the age of 12.
Professor Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at Edinburgh University, said: “Baffled by this decision – we need transparency on the evidence & publication of the advice sent to ministers.
"UK again an outlier in the world (33% of 12-15y olds in US had one shot already, other countries steam ahead to prepare for new school year).”
The JCVI is to advise against vaccinating children aged 12-15, reports say
Professor Gavin Yamey, director of the Center for Policy Impact in Global Health at Duke University in North Carolina, said: “Wow. The UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccines & Immunisation is advising AGAINST vaccinating teens.
“Baffling decision, given that the benefits are much greater than the risks. Delta has changed everything.”
The JCVI’s advice is expected to echo Stiko, Germany’s vaccine commission, which recommended last month that only children with pre-exisiting commission should be given a jag.
READ MORE: Covid Scotland: Alba wants pupils to be offered jags before school return
The advisory committee has been deliberating over the issue for months, with ministers finally preparing to announce the move.
According to reports, patients’ groups and MPs were briefed on the plans by vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi last week.
The disclosure comes ahead of the Covid restrictions beggining to lift across the UK.
It is understood the NHS in England is now preparing to roll out the vaccine as soon as possible to 12 to 15-year-olds who fit the criteria, and they will be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Pfizer was approved for use in children aged 12 to 15 by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency last month after a "rigorous review".
An NHS spokesman said: "Since the start of the NHS Covid vaccination programme, the biggest and most successful in NHS history, the NHS has followed JCVI guidance on delivering vaccinations to the population in England.
"If the JCVI updates its guidance, the NHS will act swiftly to reflect any changes and will continue to deliver Covid jags to those eligible as quickly as possible, as it has done after previous updates."
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