Britain said on Wednesday it would offer Covid-19 vaccines to all 5-11-year-olds, widening the rollout of vaccines in children in a decision that has been taken more slowly than in some other countries.
Announcing the move, health minister Sajid Javid said he had accepted advice from experts who argued that vaccinating young children would help protect against future waves of the coronavirus.
Britain has offered Covid-19 shots to vulnerable children but has been slower than the likes of the United States, Canada, Ireland and Israel in making a broad offer of shots to all 5- to 11-year-olds.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said that shots for the cohort would help increase protection against severe illness in children should there be future waves of Covid-19.
The Covid vaccine must not conflict with the MMR and HPV vaccinations, among other public health initiatives that have “fallen behind due to the pandemic,” Prof. Lim said.
Mr Javid went on to say: “The Hospital will prepare to extend this non-urgent offer to all kids during April so parents can, if they want, take up the offer to increase safeguards against unforeseen waves of Covid-19 as we learn to live with this virus.”
“Priority remains for the NHS to offer vaccines and boosters to adults and vulnerable young people” alongside “to catch up with other childhood immunisation programmes” . He explained that COVID-19 does not particularly affect children.
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