Children between the ages of 16 and 17 across the UK may be offered COVID vaccination in the coming days nicola sturgeon, after it emerged that the Joint Committee on Immunization and Immunization (JCVI) is reconsidering its advice for young people.
Just two weeks after the body recommended against routine vaccination of children, the Scottish First Minister revealed that he “expected” that people over the age of 16 would go on to receive it.
Two government sources confirmed that the JCVI is considering revisiting its recommendation for children over the age of 12. Jabs for this age group are currently limited to people who are medically vulnerable or live with someone at risk.
Anthony Harden, a member of the committee, said: “JCVI is in the process of finalizing updated advice on offering children and youth vaccinations.”
The minister is believed to have favored giving older children access to Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, but the JCVI said they should not be routinely available to children who do not have any specific risk factors.
One of the concerns the scientists associated with the Pfizer jab raised was about inflammation around the heart, with the JCVI concluding that the benefits do not outweigh the risks for those who will receive the jab.
The government is hoping the country is passing through the worst of a third wave, with daily new cases of Covid across the UK falling to 21,691 on Tuesday and hospitalizations to 731. There were 138 deaths. However, concerns remain about the possibility of the rate of new cases rising again after schools go back in September, with many employers hoping for more workers to return to the office.