When will 12 to 15-year-olds get the Covid vaccine?
If you’re a parent or guardian, it’s only natural to wonder when your child or teen might be offered the coronavirus vaccine.
Some countries, including Canada, the US and Israel have approved the Pfizer jab for kids aged 12 to 15 – and have already begun vaccinating children in that age group.
But what about over in the UK, as youngsters head back to school after the summer holidays?
Here’s what you need to know.
When do children under 16 get the Covid vaccine?
Following the recommendation from the UK’s four Chief Medical Officers that children aged 12-15 should be offered one dose of the Pfizer jab, the rollout of vaccines in that age group is expected to begin as soon as this week.
It’s likely the majority of jabs will be given out in schools, although separate vaccination sites will also be available where needed.
This followed advice given by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunsation (JCVI), which stated that there was minimal benefit in giving the vaccine to that age group.
Despite their recommendations the JCVI said the decision should ultimately be made by the chief medical officers (CMO) of the four home nations .
Although the risk of complications from Covid is low in under-16s, the four CMOs have taken other factors into account, such as the disruption to children’s education, as well as the impact on their mental health of missing school.
While the JCVI has said the virus presents a very low risk for healthy children, there are still concerns also that youngsters can spread the disease and suffer from long Covid.
It’s expected that ministers will approve the plans, amid concerns that the return to school could cause a fresh spike in Covid cases during the winter months.
Although an exact date for the age group to begin receiving the jabs has yet to be confirmed, NHS England has reportedly already been told to prepare the rollout of vaccines for 12 to 15-year-olds in the event of the CMOs giving their approval.
So it’s likely the age group won’t have to wait very long at all to be invited for their jabs.
Who can currently get a vaccine?
Currently, vaccines are being offered to those aged 16 and over.
Some children aged 12 to 15 who have a higher risk of getting seriously ill from Covid or who live with someone at high risk of catching it have also been invited to receive the vaccine.
Over 43 million people in the UK are now fully vaccinated, while over 48 million people have received their first dose.
Check the NHS website up-to-the-minute information. It’s updated as soon as the vaccine is made available to new priority groups.
Anyone who is eligible can either wait to be contacted by their GP, or visit the NHS website to book an appointment.
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