COVID-19 vaccination for 16 to 17 year olds
FAO: All Schools and Colleges
Yesterday, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advisedthat all 16 to 17 year olds should be offered a first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the government has accepted this advice.
Vaccinations will begin as soon as possible. 16 and 17 year olds will be vaccinated through the adult COVID-19 vaccination system supported, if required, by the GP led primary care system.
As previously advised by JCVI, those 12 to 17 year olds with specific underlying health conditions that put them at risk of severe COVID-19 should be offered two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Those 12 and over who live with an immunosuppressed person should also continue to be offered two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This is to indirectly protect their immunosuppressed household contacts, who are at higher risk of serious disease from COVID-19 and may not generate a full immune response to vaccination.
JCVI has also previously recommended an ongoing offer of vaccination to 17 year olds within 3 months of their 18th birthday. This group will remain eligible for two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
The JCVI is not currently advising routine vaccination of children outside of these groups, but will keep their advice under review as more evidence becomes available on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in children and young people.
Cheryl Headon
Head of Schools Traded Services