UK expands Covid vaccines to at-risk 5 to 11-year-old youngsters

PTI

London, January 30

The UK’s Nationwide Well being Service (NHS) on Sunday expanded its Covid-19 vaccination programme to cowl susceptible kids aged 5 to 11 years.

Eligible kids embrace these with diabetes, immunosuppression, studying disabilities, and different critical situations that place them at a excessive threat from Covid-19.

NHS England mentioned practically 500,000 eligible kids in England are set to obtain their first dose of a Covid vaccine according to recommendation set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

“We all know vaccines give vital safety towards extreme sickness from Covid– together with the Omicron variant, so it is necessary that our youngest and most at-risk get protected,” mentioned Dr Nikki Kanani, an Indian-origin GP and deputy lead for NHS vaccination programme.

“The NHS is now vaccinating essentially the most in danger 5-11-year-olds making certain they get their very important dose of safety. Hundreds of younger individuals are nonetheless getting protected every single day with hundreds of thousands vaccinated thus far and we’re asking mother and father to not delay coming ahead – as quickly because the NHS contacts you, please come ahead so the NHS can shield their youngest towards the virus,” she mentioned.

The NHS had earlier opened up vaccines for the over 12 age group and mentioned it has delivered over 3.5 million vaccinations to individuals aged 12-17, together with over 2.4 million first doses.

UK Vaccines Minister Maggie Throup mentioned: “I would really like mother and father and guardians to be reassured that no new vaccine for youngsters would have been authorized except the anticipated requirements of security, high quality and effectiveness had been met.

“I encourage as many as doable to verify they get their baby the jab when contacted — the paediatric vaccine will provide the absolute best safety in your baby.”

According to procedures, affected person info is distributed out to folks and guardians with info on the Covid-19 vaccination. Dad and mom and guardians are requested to attend with their kids and are requested to learn the affected person info upfront of arriving for his or her appointment.

Eligible kids within the youngest cohort will get a second dose eight weeks after their first dose and might’t obtain any vaccination till 4 weeks after a optimistic check for coronavirus.

Final month, the JCVI additionally issued up to date steerage recommending all 16 and 17 yr olds get a Pfizer/BioNtech booster from three months (91 days) after their second dose. Following the growth of a 3rd booster vaccine for all 16 and 17 yr olds, over half of eligible younger individuals on this age group have already acquired their top-up safety. —

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