Parents left in limbo over Covid vaccines for teens

Professor Anthony Harnden, of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said the decision is ‘finely balanced’
PA Wire
Ross Lydall @RossLydall6 September 2021

The failure of the UK’s vaccines panel to approve the universal roll-out of Covid jabs for children aged 12 to 15 has created a “muddle” for parents, its deputy chairman has admitted.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation last week declined to approve the widespread vaccination of children under 16 with no underlying medical issues, but said the health benefits were “marginally greater” than the potential known harms.

The Government is now awaiting advice from the UK’s four chief medical officers on the wider benefits of vaccinating all secondary school pupils, including the likely reduction in school absences or classroom closures. Today the JCVI’s deputy chairman, Professor Anthony Harnden, said the evidence was “marginally in favour of vaccination” but it was “not an easy decision” for parents of healthy children.

Asked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain about the JCVI’s failure to offer a straightforward recommendation, he said: “From a parent’s perspective, this seems very muddled.

“That was certainly not the intention of our deliberations. To a certain extent, by us coming out and saying no, if the Government says yes that does create a lot of uncomfortableness [sic].”

There are concerns about a small number of cases of myocarditis and pericarditis — heart inflammation diseases — that have been seen in children in the US following vaccination with the Pfizer or Moderna jab.

Professor Harnden said the JCVI was “not properly constituted” to consider the wider benefits of vaccinating healthy children, such as whether this would reduce community transmission and cut the risk to vulnerable elderly people.

The four chief medial officers have been asked to give their advice “as soon as possible”, with a decision expected later this week.

This would mean healthy children under 16 would receive a first dose from next week.

Ministers expect the return of schools will lead to a rise in the number of Covid cases.

Heath Secretary Sajid Javid said a decision on vaccinating children would be made “shortly”. Fears of a winter lockdown were raised over the weekend when the Government’s temporary Covid powers, which allow it to close premises and force people to self-isolate, were extended for a further six months.

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