According to England’s chief physician, it is still a way away from vaccinating children under five against coronavirus in the UK.
Professor Chris Whitty stated that Covid jabs are not approved for younger children in the UK by Medicines Control. This is because it has yet to review data.
At a press conference, he stated that the UK’s top scientists will be able to make a determination about whether to offer the vaccine to its younger cohorts.
Professor Whitty emphasized that we shouldn’t rush to make this happen.
The press conference came after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) today announced it recommended second doses for 16 and 17-year-olds and booster jabs for 8million people in their 40s.
Due to the low risk of severe illness for children, the UK has limited vaccine distribution to more than 12 years old.
For those under 15, only one dose is required. This is because myocarditis (a rare form of inflammation) can occur after the second infusion.
The US, along with a few other countries, have been pushing ahead with their rollout of under-12s. There has also been pressure from some corners of the medical community for the UK to do the same.
Professor Chris Whitty noted that no jab has been approved by the UK’s Medicines Watchdog for children under 11. He said that the UK’s medicines watchdog would need to review the information presented by top scientists to decide whether the vaccine should be rolled out to this age group. Professor Whitty said that we should not hurry to make this decision.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation today recommended booster jabs for 8million adults in their 40s and second doses for 16-year-olds and 17-year olds. Pictured: a healthworker preparing a Covid vaccine dose
Professor Whitty said that it is difficult to decide whether or not to vaccine five- to eleven year-olds against the coronavirus.
He explained that ‘we have not yet got a licence from MHRA. [Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency]So let’s take our time and do this right.
“It depends entirely on data submitted to the independent regulator, and independent scientific advisory committee.
The MHRA still has not decided whether it will offer the vaccine to young people because they have not reviewed the data from the US which has been administering Covid vaccines to children aged five through eleven years.
Before deciding whether the jab will be safe or effective, the agency reviews all safety and clinical data submitted by Covid vaccine manufacturers to the UK.
Following weighing out the potential benefits and the risks, No10 is advised by the JCVI whether they should give injections to that group as part of the rollout.
They advised ministers not to stab 12-15-year-olds as Covid is a small threat to children.
There is also a risk of myocarditis, a rare side effect that can result from vaccinations. This could lead to serious damage to the heart.
Critics argue that children should catch the virus naturally and get protection, as the chance of getting admitted to ICU is one in 500,000.
But the JCVI panel — who only looked at a rigid set of criteria — recommended the UK’s chief medical officers were given the final say.
Because of the success of modeling, Professor Chris Whitty was able to suggest jabs for 12-15-year-olds.
Professor Jeremy Brown is a member the JCVI. He stated that earlier in the month, it was ‘far to early’ for it to recommend vaccinating children under 12 years old.
He said that there was ‘a case’ for a vaccine to be used on children with underlying conditions that render them more susceptible to the virus.
And Professor Jonathan Van-Tam Professor, England’s deputy chief medical officer, said the JCVI ‘will be considering’ whether to follow the US in expaning the rollout to over-fives. However, the decision is still far from being made, he said.
It comes as the JCVI announced today that 16 and 17-year-olds will be offered a second dose of their Covid vaccine, which it found increases the level and duration of protection.
The second vaccination will be administered 12 weeks after the first. This is because there are more side effects to the extended gap.
While they were investigating reports of myocarditis among young adults, officials delayed making a decision about second doses.
However, the JCVI reported that data from Canada and the UK, which allow for three months between each dose, shows rates similar to those in the United States.
The majority of cases are reversible and can be treated quickly, according to the group.
Professor Wei Shen Lim is the chair for Covid vaccination at JCVI. He stated that booster vaccines can be given to more vulnerable individuals, while second doses to 16-17-year-olds may also be used to protect against severe diseases like Covid.
These vaccinations will extend our protection to 2022. Please make sure you have the vaccines if you’re eligible. We look forward to winter.
Six other nations, including the United States, Chile and Cuba, are the only ones that vaccinate children younger than 12 years old against Covid.
Its controversial nature means that very few countries are yet to vacinate their children, with just eight other countries doing this.
Children six years old and over have started receiving their first shot in El Salvador, Chile and Ecuador.
Children under three years old are eligible for vaccines in Argentina, China, Bahrain and China.
In Cuba, children as young as two years old are getting the jabs.