The government is expected to approve the use of the Moderna Covid vaccine for children aged 12 and over after its approval by the British medical watchdog.
The Joint Committee on Immunization and Immunization (JCVI) is expected to make a recommendation on expanding the immunization program, officials said.
This is the second Covid-19 vaccine authorized for people aged 12 to 17, after the Pfizer vaccine.
The Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it was up to the Joint Committee on Immunization and Immunization (JCVI) to advise the government on whether children in this group of age should receive the Moderna vaccine.
Boris Johnson
What are the latest changes?
Although no official changes have been confirmed
The MHRA said the vaccine – also known as the Spikevax vaccine – is “safe and effective in this age group.”
The government followed the advice of the MHRA and JCVI.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs said: “As has been the case with all other approvals, we will now be guided by the Independent Joint Committee on Immunization and Immunization and have asked for its formal recommendation. on whether to administer this vaccine to people. aged 12 to 17.
Which children can currently be vaccinated?
Across the country, 223,755 under-18s received a first dose and nearly 80,000 received a second dose, according to NHS data as of July 25.
Currently, some children between the ages of 12 and 15 are only offered the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine if they are considered clinically vulnerable.
This week it was announced that all 16 and 17 year olds in England will be offered the opportunity to register for their first jab before 23 August.
Are jabs for children safe?
In short, yes.
There has been a lot of speculation as to whether the vaccination program will be extended to all children aged 12 and over.
Other countries have been successful in vaccinating children for some time, but the UK has taken a more cautious approach to routinely offer the vaccine to young children.
Dr June Raine, Managing Director of the MHRA, said: “I am happy to confirm that the Covid-19 vaccine made by Moderna is now authorized for 12 to 17 year olds. The vaccine is safe and effective in this age group.
“We have a comprehensive safety monitoring strategy in place to monitor the safety of all approved Covid-19 vaccines in the UK and this monitoring will include the 12 to 17 age group.”
Where can children get vaccinated?
Probably in vaccination clinics that function like general practitioners’ offices and pharmacies.
Pop-up vaccination clinics have popped up in popular places for young people – including Thorpe Park and Latitude Festival – so in theory this would continue.
Will the children need parental permission?
If under 16, yes.
Responding to a question of whether parental consent will be required for vaccines, Professor Wei Shen Lim, Chairman of JCVI, said: “In the UK, a person aged 16 and over is considered capable of consenting. for themselves, and if they are competent and able to consent for themselves, then that consent is valid.
What has been said before about childhood immunizations?
There has been a debate over the provision of vaccines to children, with some experts arguing that children should be able to receive the vaccine to avoid further disrupting schooling. According to government figures, a record 1.13 million children in England were out of school for reasons related to Covid-19 towards the end of the quarter.
In theory, it could also reduce transmission, which should reduce infection levels in the population.
Others have suggested that vaccinating children would not, on the whole, be in their own best interests – as children are rare to be seriously ill from Covid-19. This could create a moral gray area, as children would be given a vaccine, which can have side effects, for the benefit of others.
Others said it would be morally ambiguous to give the vaccine to children when there are serious gaps in vaccine equity around the world. Some prominent people – like Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, who is part of the team behind the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine – have spoken out against vaccinating children ahead of some of the most vulnerable people in other parts of the world.
What is the official line?
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Affairs said: “We welcome the news that Moderna’s vaccine has been approved as safe and effective for people aged 12 and over.
“As has been the case with all other approvals, we will now be guided by the Independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization and have asked for their formal recommendation on whether to administer this vaccine to people aged 12 to 12. 17 years.
“All 16 to 17 year olds, clinically vulnerable children 12 to 15 year olds, and people living with adults who are …
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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-08-18 05:01:00
