HEALTH NEWS
UK vaccine advisers decide against Covid vaccine for young people between 12-15 years of age
The Government’s vaccine advisory body id not give its green light for vaccinating those falling in the age group between 12 and 15 years. With this, the UK’s Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) will provide further advice on the Covid-19 vaccination of young people.
The independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) concluded that the benefits are “insufficient” to support a universal offer of mass Covid vaccinations for all healthy children in this age group.
However, it has recommended that an even wider group of 12 to 15-year-olds with underlying health conditions should be given the Covid jab.
“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,” said Wei Shen Lim, Chair of Covid-19 Immunisation for the JCVI.
“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,” he said.