Thank you for contacting me about children and the Covid-19 vaccine.
The likelihood of children being seriously ill if they catch Covid-19 is thankfully very low and the chances of children dying mercifully still smaller. This is one reason why the MHRA does not currently recommend that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine be used for children under 16.
At this time, there is very limited data on vaccination in adolescents, with no data on vaccination in younger children, so the safety and efficacy of the vaccine for children has not yet been established. I know that research on all vaccine candidates is ongoing and I will be following developments on what this means for children closely.
I understand that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that only those children at very high risk of exposure and serious outcomes, such as older children with severe neuro-disabilities that require residential care, should be offered vaccination. Clinicians should discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination, as well as the paucity of safety data, with a person with parental responsibility.
Parents of vulnerable children and the JCVI priority list: It is right that the first priorities for any COVID-19 vaccination programme should be the prevention of COVID-19 mortality and the protection of health and social care staff and systems. I know that work is continuing to set out future priorities and I will be studying this carefully. I have noted your suggestions about future prioritisation and will ensure that ministers are aware of these.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
December 2020