NHS to prepare for rollout of vaccines among 12 to 15-year-olds

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Ministers have asked the NHS to start preparing for the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines to all children aged 12 to 15 from September, pending approval from the government’s scientific advisers.

Under current guidelines, 16 and 17-year-olds across the UK are eligible for the coronavirus jab alongside those aged 12-15 who have suppressed immune systems, severe learning disabilities or live in a household with those at high risk. 

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises the government, has yet to offer formal guidance on vaccinations for all 12 to 15-year-olds.

However, findings from the UK regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, concluded that the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine was safe for use with children aged 12 to 15. Earlier this month, the regulator also confirmed that the Moderna jab was safe for use on 12 to 17-year-olds. 

The health department said on Saturday that in preparation for any future JCVI announcement on vaccine rollouts for those over 12, NHS England would put into effect a number of steps — such as finding additional staff to provide jabs at school and publishing training materials for NHS vaccinators. 

Amid concerns surrounding parental approval for under-18s being offered Covid-19 vaccines within school settings, the department also confirmed that if jabs were to be introduced within schools then “parental or carer consent will be sought”.

Meanwhile in the case of a 12-15 rollout, schools will be asked to make concessions to ease the distribution, including allowing children to take time off class to get vaccinated.

The announcement follows growing concerns surrounding disruption caused by the pandemic to children’s education ahead of the new school year starting next month.

In an interview with The Financial Times, education secretary Gavin Williamson indicated the government’s desire to expand vaccinations among school-age children and promised to reduce disruption in schools.

Health secretary Sajid Javid praised the UK’s vaccination programme, by which around 78 per cent of the UK population aged over 16 have been fully inoculated since the rollout began in December 2020.

“The phenomenal vaccine programme is building a wall of defence across the country, with more than 105,000 lives saved and over 82,100 hospitalisations prevented,” he said.

“Throughout the pandemic the government has planned ahead so we can respond to changing circumstances and move quickly to offer the life-saving vaccine to the people who need it most,” he added. “That is why, while I await updated advice from JCVI on the 12-15 cohort, I have asked the NHS to make preparations — should they be needed — to roll out the vaccine to this group.”

The health department also said the government was continuing to prepare for a vaccine booster programme, to ensure those most vulnerable to Covid-19 had their protection against coronavirus extended ahead of the winter.