As a responsible government, we have put plans in place wherever
possible throughout the pandemic in order to respond quickly to
changing circumstances and the latest scientific evidence in
order to keep people safe.
Our vaccination programme has been so successful precisely
because we made advanced plans, recruited staff, purchased
vaccines and sorted complex logistics before the medicines
regulator approved the COVID-19 vaccine and before the JCVI gave
us final advice as to who should get the vaccine when.
Our forward planning for booster vaccines and the possible
rollout of the vaccine to 12-15 years olds are part of this
process.
The MHRA has already said that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine are
safe and effective for 12-17 year olds.
Following advice on 4 August from the independent Joint Committee
on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), we are currently offering
a first COVD-19 vaccine dose to all 16 and 17 year olds and to
12-15 year olds with specific underlying health conditions and
those who are household contacts of someone who is
immunosuppressed. As they set out at the time, JCVI will continue
to review emerging data and provide further advice.
No decisions have been taken on the universal vaccination of
12-15 year olds and ministers have not received further advice
from the JCVI.
But if the JCVI recommends that 12-15s should be offered the
vaccine, we need to be ready to hit the ground running and start
those vaccinations as soon as possible. That is what parents
across the country would rightly expect us to do, to keep their
children safe.
That is why the Government has asked the NHS to undertake the
necessary preparations to ensure they are ready to offer
universal vaccination to 12-15 year olds from early September.
The NHS are preparing to deliver a school based programme which
will be supplemented with other delivery models where necessary
to ensure full coverage across the country (e.g. GP-led
services).
As part of this, NHS England will be taking a number of steps,
including:
- Contracting providers to recruit and train staff to provide
school-aged immunisation services, to ensure teams are ready and
able to start offering vaccination in schools from September if
needed
- Hosting webinars with immunisation providers, CCGs and local
authorities to update them on contingency planning arrangements
- Publishing training materials for NHS vaccinators and local
delivery partners
If a decision is taken to vaccinate this cohort, communications
will be issued to schools asking them to support the vaccination
effort if needed, for example by making space available in the
schools or enabling children to take time out of lessons to
travel to vaccination sites.
In the event that the JCVI recommends COVID-19 vaccines should be
offered to those aged 12-15, parental or carer consent will be
sought. This is no different from any other school vaccination
programme.
Any advice on vaccinating children and young people has always
been based on the risks and benefits to children themselves.
The Government is also continuing to prepare for a booster
programme to ensure those most vulnerable to COVID-19 have their
protection against the virus extended ahead of winter and
strengthened against new variants.
Any booster programme will be based the final advice of the JCVI.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, ,
said:
“The phenomenal vaccine programme is building a wall of defence
across the country, with more than 105,000 lives saved and over
82,100 hospitalisations prevented.
“Throughout the pandemic the government has planned ahead so we
can respond to changing circumstances and move quickly to offer
the life-saving vaccine to the people who need it most. That is
why, while I await updated advice from JCVI on the 12-15 cohort,
I have asked the NHS to make preparations – should they be needed
– to rollout the vaccine to this group.
“We’ve seen excellent uptake in the younger cohorts already, as
people continue do everything they can to protect themselves,
their family and their communities. I continue urge everyone
eligible who has not yet already to book their jabs as soon as
possible – the vaccine is saving lives and helping us get back to
normal life.”
