Wednesday’s announcement by the UK government was that coronavirus vaccinations will be offered to all 16- and 17-year olds. However, it will not offer them to younger healthy teenagers like in many other Western countries.
This move is in line with updated guidance by British health regulators stating that the country’s vaccination drive should be extended for those 16-17 years old without any underlying health problems, following a review of the most recent data.
This contrasts with the United States which announced in May that young teens would be vaccinated. The European Union’s medicines regulator has also approved two shots for all over-12s.
Sajid Javid, Britain’s health secretary, confirmed that he accepted the latest recommendations from the UK and asked the National Health Service (NHS), “to prepare for vaccinating those eligible as quickly as possible.”
He stated that the JCVI would continue to examine data and provide updates about at-risk groups aged 12-15 years and whether additional groups will be added.
The BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine will be given to eligible teenagers over 12 years old.
Regulators are yet to decide when they should receive their second doses. A further recommendation is likely in the next few weeks.
Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s deputy chief physician officer, stated at a televised briefing that he wants the NHS to start blaming 16- and 17-year-olds “as quickly as practicable”.
He said, “It has been working on multiple permutations of options for many weeks now and I would expect that this program will start in a short time.”
Health experts welcomed the decision, with Russell Viner of University College London’s Child and Adolescent Health calling it a “sensible move”.
He stated that there are significant social and educational benefits to protecting young people, and reducing transmission in upper secondary school years.
The rapid-paced vaccination program in Britain has resulted in nearly 89 per cent of adults receiving at least one dose. Nearly two-thirds have been fully jabbed.
The number of daily new cases in England has fallen since July 19, when all restrictions on virus spread were lifted. This raises hopes that vaccines will be able to end the pandemic.
celebritiesbuzz
