Sign in

UK medical officers give nod for Covid-19 vaccines for children aged 12 to 15

The move means around 3 million children in the UK could be eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine, which is expected to be given through schools.

Published on: Sep 13, 2021, 22:16:12 IST
PTI | Posted by , Hindustan Times, New Delhi
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
Copy link
  • copy link

Children aged 12 to 15 should be offered a COVID vaccine, the UK's chief medical officers (CMOs) have decided on Monday.

According to the decision by the UK chief medical officers, healthy children should be inoculated with a single dose of Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.
According to the decision by the UK chief medical officers, healthy children should be inoculated with a single dose of Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.

The medical officers said their recommendation to the government was made after considering "what effect this will have on transmission in schools and effects on education".

"It's a useful tool to reduce the disruption," they said.

According to the decision, healthy children should be offered a single dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and the rollout should begin "as soon as possible".

Also Read | US could authorise Pfizer Covid-19 shot for kids aged 5 to 11 in October

The move means around 3 million children could be eligible for the jab, which is expected to be given through schools.

It follows the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) decision against such a rollout purely on health grounds, leaving the final call in the hands of the CMOs after considering wider implications.

  • Sharangee Dutta
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Sharangee Dutta

    A journalist with 7+ years of experience, I pretty much inhale and exhale news – figuratively speaking. Cooking, reading and playing with my dog take up the remaining hours of my normal day. I have an inclination for true crime stories, and love listening to such podcasts.Read More