Thank you for contacting me about offering Covid-19 vaccination to children.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the Covid-19 vaccines supplied by Pfizer and Moderna for 12- to 17-year-olds. Additionally, a new age appropriate formulation of the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use in children aged 5- to 11-year-olds. The MHRA has confirmed that these vaccines are safe and effective for this age group. Following JCVI assessments over the last few months, all children aged 12- to 17- years are eligible for two doses of vaccination and the rollout to this age group is ongoing.
As you may be aware, the JCVI now advises that children aged 5- to 11-years old who are in a clinical risk group, or live with someone who is immunosuppressed, be offered vaccination. As with other groups, there should be an interval of eight weeks between first and second doses. The majority of children are at very low risk of serious illness due to Covid-19, however, some have underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk, hence the advice to be vaccinated. I understand that further advice regarding vaccination of all children in this age group will be issued in due course following consideration of additional data.
The JCVI now also recommends that all 16- and 17-year-olds, and those aged 12 to 15 who are in a clinical risk group or live with someone who is immunosuppressed, be offered a booster dose, no sooner than three months after the completion of their primary course of vaccination.
At every point in the vaccination programme, decisions have been guided by the best clinical advice and I know that this decision is no different. I hope all those eligible will accept this offer of vaccination.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
February 2022