The UK government’s vaccine advisers have decided not to recommend Covid-19 vaccines for healthy children aged between 12 and 15
However around 350,000 12 to 15-year-olds with certain health problems will now be eligible for the vaccines say the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)
In a statement the committee said that while the health gains from vaccinating the entire age group were greater than the risks, “the margin of benefit is considered too small to support universal vaccination of healthy 12- to 15-year-olds at this time”.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, Covid chairman of the JCVI said: “For otherwise healthy 12 to 15-year-old children, their risk of severe Covid-19 disease is small and therefore the potential for benefit from Covid-19 vaccination is also small. The JCVI’s view is that overall, the health benefits from Covid-19 vaccination to healthy children aged 12 to 15 years are marginally greater than the potential harms. Taking a precautionary approach, this margin of benefit is considered too small to support universal Covid-19 vaccination for this age group at this time. The committee will continue to review safety data as they emerge.”
The final recommendation for England will be made by Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer.
