Covid Vaccine for Children Limited Recommendation

Experts recommend some children receive a Covid vaccine to protect them against the pandemic before winter.

Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi says the recommendation includes children who are clinically vulnerable or live with others who are, and those who are nearly 18 years old.

However, vaccinating healthy children aged between 12 and 17 years old is a decision “kept under review”. A statement is due from Mr Zahawi in Parliament later today.

The recommendation came from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). This is the body of UK vaccine experts who advise government on the best approach to dealing with the virus. Ministers received the recommendations on Friday, and will consider them on Monday morning.

Extending eligibility

Currently, the advice is to offer those aged between 16 and 18 a Pfizer jab if they are in a priority group, or live with somebody who has a weak immune system.

If the new recommendations are accepted, eligibility will extend to healthy teenagers who have their 18th birthday within three months. It will also include younger children who are vulnerable to the virus, or live with other people who are.

Mr Zahawi says there is “good data from America” on giving a first dose to healthy children. But the JCVI is keeping the issue under review until those same children receive their second vaccination.

Concern over giving younger age groups and children the Covid vaccine remains due to worries about very rare cases of myocarditis. This is an inflammation of the heart muscle occurring in younger people.

The Pfizer vaccine has approval for use in people aged over 12 years. The UK now need to decide whether to follow suit of other countries and administer to younger people.

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