Covid vaccine to be approved for 16 and 17-year-olds - is it safe?

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is expected to make a recommendation on extending the vaccination programme, officials have said.

Experts have said offering a Covid-19 vaccine to 16 and 17-year-olds could reduce transmission of the virus and limit disruption to their schooling.

Under existing guidance, some children aged 12 to 17 have been eligible for the jab if they have underlying health conditions, but the new advice is expected to roll out vaccinations for all 16 and 17 year olds.

The PA have answered burning questions people may have as the Covid vaccine looks set to be offered to UK children aged 16 and 17.

What are the latest changes?

It is understood that the Covid-19 vaccine programme is to be extended to include 16 and 17-year-olds – the first time the jab will be routinely offered to children in the UK.

There are around 1.4 million people in this age bracket.

Which children can currently get the vaccine?

Across the nation 223,755 under-18s have received a first dose and almost 80,000 have had a second dose, according to NHS data to July 25.

At present a number of under-18s are eligible for the jab if they have certain health conditions, live with someone who is immunocompromised, or are approaching their 18th birthday.

Are jabs for 16-year-olds safe?

Yes. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 12 and over. The medicines regulator will only approve a medicine for use when it has seen evidence on its safety and efficacy. The jab is already being widely used in children in other countries around the world.

Where might children get vaccines?

Probably at the vaccine clinics which are up and running such as GP surgeries and pharmacies.

Pop-up vaccine clinics have been appearing at popular spots for young people – including Thorpe Park and Latitude Festival – so in theory this would continue.

Will children need parental consent?

Possibly. PA has learned that some vaccine clinics have already started giving jabs to 16-year-olds – provided that they attend the appointment with a parent or guardian.

Other countries which are offering vaccine to children require parental consent.

This will be set out when ministers make a decision on the extension of the programme.

What about timings?

It has been reported that appointments could open in around a fortnight. But if ministers want to see a tangible effect when schools return in around a month’s time, then appointments could open sooner.

What has been said previously about children getting vaccinated?

There has been debate about offering vaccines to children, with some experts saying children should be able to get the jab to prevent further disruption to schooling. According to Government figures a record 1.13 million children in England were out of school for Covid-19 related reasons towards the end of term.

It could also in theory reduce transmission which should dampen levels of infection in the population.

Others have suggested that vaccinating children would, in large, not be for their own benefit – because it is rare for children to be seriously ill from Covid-19. This could create a moral grey area, as children would be given a vaccine, which can have side effects, for the benefit of others.

Others have said that it would be morally ambiguous to give the vaccine to children when there are serious gaps in vaccine equity around the globe. Some high-profile people – such as Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, who is part of the team behind the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine – have spoken out against vaccinating children ahead of some of the most vulnerable people in other parts of the world.

What is the official line?

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We continue to keep the vaccination of children and young people under review and will be guided by the advice of the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.”

But universities minister Michelle Donelan said ministers were expecting an announcement from the JCVI “imminently”.

I don’t know any 16 or 17-year-olds, what does this mean for me?

Scientists have said that opening the vaccine programme to younger groups could help stem the tide of infections – which are largely being driven by younger groups. The more people who are vaccinated, the less infection is around, so it is less likely you will become infected yourself or have plans disrupted due to illness or isolation.

But will 16 and 17-year-olds take up the jab offer?

Even though the vaccine programme has been open to all those 18 and over for some time now there are still around 2.8 million 18-29-year olds who are completely unvaccinated.

Officials have started incentive schemes to encourage people to take up the jab offer.

It remains to be seen what proportion of younger teenagers take up the offer.