COVID-19: Vulnerable children in the age group already eligible for shots. (file)
London:
Top medical advisers said on Monday that a COVID-19 vaccine would be offered to all 12- to 15-year-olds in England that children would benefit from less disruption to their education. The British government confirmed that the proposal would be extended to all children aged 12-15 years after a unanimous recommendation by the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of the four countries of the United Kingdom.
Health Minister Sajid Javid said in a statement, “I have accepted the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officers to expand vaccination to people aged 12 to 15 years – to protect youth from COVID-19.” , to reduce transmission in schools and to keep pupils in the classroom.” .
The rollout for the cohort in England will begin next week. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own health policy, although each developed administration received similar advice from their respective CMOs.
The CMO recommended that children aged 12-15 years in the UK get their first shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine after the Joint Committee on Immunization and Immunization (JCVI) earlier this month decided against making the recommendation.
Children will be given the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine. Vulnerable children in the age group were already eligible for shots.
The United States, Israel and some European countries have introduced vaccinations for children more widely, putting pressure on the British government to follow suit.
There have been more than 134,000 deaths from COVID-19 in the UK, and the rapid onset of its vaccination rollout has been slow, with 81% of people over 16 receiving two vaccine doses.
The JCVI had earlier said the decision to vaccinate children was “quite balanced” as the government sought further advice on the issue.
The CMO said in a letter that vaccinating children could reduce COVID-19 transmission and thus disruption to schools, and that those benefits “provide a substantial additional benefit on balance … To recommend in favor.”
“(Vaccination) will reduce education disruption,” England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty said at a news briefing.
“We don’t think it’s a panacea, there’s no silver bullet… but we think it’s an important and potentially useful addition to help mitigate the public health impacts that come through educational disruption.” equipment.”
The CMO said a second dose would not be offered to the aged group until at least the spring as they wait for more data from around the world.
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