LONDON: England will offer 16th and 17 years, their first dose of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, the British vaccine advisor said on Wednesday, expanding the feasibility of shots to children outside of clinically vulnerable.
The United Kingdom Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) said it had updated the initial suggestions given last month in light change in the spread of disease in younger groups, and the latest available safety data available.
“After carefully consider the latest data, we suggest that 16 to 17 healthy years offered the first dose of Pfizer-Bontech vaccine.
Advice on when to offer the second vaccine dose will come later,” said Wei Shen Lim, JCVI.
Covid-19 seat.
“While Covid-19 is usually mild or without symptoms in most young people, it can be very unpleasant for some people and for this particular age group, we expect a vaccine dose to provide good protection against severe illness and hospitalization.” JCVI said that the benefits for children to keep them healthy and in school are very important, although there will be a positive impact on the community more broadly.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he received the advice.
The British has taken a far more careful approach to vaccinating children than in the United States and Israel, which are driven by a wide roll-out for under the 18s.
British medical officer Chief Chris Whitty has emphasized the need for a complete picture of the safety of gunfire, given the very low level of severe results for disease in the age group.
JCVI said he was taking a cautious approach on July 19 when he initially decided not to offer a vaccine to children more broadly.
It maintains previous suggestions that children aged 12 to 15 years with specific special health conditions must also get a vaccine.