- The Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunization (JCVI) has recommended using the third immunization for millions of people with weakened immune systems.
- Before their children are given a booster shot, parents of 12- to 15-year-olds will be asked for their approval.
The UK’s vaccines watchdog is expected to decide on Thursday about a Covid booster vaccine programme, with ministers hopeful that approval for vaccinations for 12- to 15-year-olds could follow imminently, reports The Guardian.
The study, conducted by Southampton University, is seen as a key component in the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) deliberations, with the government ready to launch an urgent booster vaccination program if it is authorized.
The Booster Dose
Although this was presented as distinct from a formal booster programme, the JCVI allowed the use of a third immunization for half a million persons with severely impaired immune systems. Ministers are also waiting for word on 12- to 15-year-olds after the JCVI stated that the evidence on the clinical advantages of vaccines for this age group was insufficient to recommend them. Instead, the committee recommended that ministers invite the four chief medical officers of the UK nations to look into broader issues such as the potential impact of school disruption.
Vaccines for the children
Javid said he expected the UK’s four chief medical officers to make a judgment on minors within days. “I want to give them breathing space,” he told Sky News. “It’s their independent view, and that’s exactly what it should be.” However, I anticipate hearing from them within the next few days.” He stated that consent will be sought from parents of 12- to 15-year-olds, as it has done for “decades;” But that if the children and their parents cannot agree, the child’s opinion would take precedence as long as they are competent enough to make their own decision.
Javid also said he was “very confident” that the UK would have a booster program so that older adults could receive a third jab.
Experts’ View
Experts say that deciding whether to go ahead with booster vaccines for 12- to 15-year-olds is unlikely to make a big difference in the trajectory of cases and hospitalizations over the autumn. The severity of this year’s flu season is expected to have a more significant impact on cases and the overall burden on the NHS. Chris Jewell, an epidemiologist at Lancaster University, said: “Based on the current situation, most people are in agreement that we’re not likely to see a massive rise in hospitalizations over the autumn. Things seem to be quite stable.”
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Source: The Guardian
