As the debate on the vaccination of children against Covid hots up, it has been revealed that nearly a quarter of a million under-18s in England have been ‘jabbed’ already. The Evening Standard has the story.
Across the nation 223,755 under-18s have received a first dose, according to NHS data to July 25th.
The figures come as it emerged that the offer of a vaccine is expected to be extended to include all 16 and 17 year-olds.
In June, Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi announced that a number of under-18s would be eligible for the jab if they had certain health conditions, lived with someone who is immunocompromised, or were approaching their 18th birthday.
He said at the time that the vaccine experts who advise the Government, the JCVI, did not currently recommend that children should be routinely given the jab, but that the matter was being kept under constant review.
However, the PA news agency has learned that some clinics have already begun vaccinating 16 year-olds at walk-up appointments, provided that they attend with their parent or guardian.
NHS data shows that 79,616 children have had both doses.
Worth reading in full.
Stop Press: All 16 and 17 year-olds will start being invited to get vaccinated against Covid “in a very short number of weeks indeed”, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, has confirmed.
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