The U.K. plans to offer coronavirus vaccines to 16 and 17-year-olds in the next few weeks after the independent body of scientists that makes vaccine recommendations to the government changed its advice.
The four nations of the U.K. all accepted the change from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, which now says healthy 16 to 17-year-olds can be coolingcpu offered a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. They will not need parental consent.
The change, which means another 1.4 million people across the U.K. will be eligible for a first vaccine shot, comes just two weeks after the JCVI recommended against routine vaccinations for those under 18, although it did stress that it would continually assess the evidence.
Currently, the only 16 and 17-year-olds being offered the Pfizer vaccine, which has been approved by Britain's medical regulator for anyone 12 and over, are those with underlying health conditions or those living with vulnerable people.
“While COVID-19 is typically mild or asymptomatic in most young people, it can be very unpleasant for some and for this particular age group, we expect one dose of the vaccine to provide good protection against severe illness and hospitalization,” said Professor Wei. Shen Lim, who chairs the JCVI's COVID-19 program.