12-YEAR-OLDS MAY GET JABS IN SEPT

With all adults expected to have had a vaccine by the end of July, school children may be next

The government has put a huge focus on keeping schools open, so to prevent them shutting their doors again if infections rise as restrictions ease, the

NHS has drawn up contingency plans to vaccinate children aged 12 and above.

Nothing has been decided yet, as it will only happen if the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation agrees to it, but the thinking is that children aged 12 and above would get a single dose when the new school year starts.

Coronavirus infections among 10- to 19-year-olds are far lower than in the last wave of the pandemic, but they are still higher than in any other age group in England. Before you worry that makes going to school risky, the higher rate among 10-to 19-year-olds is likely to be thanks to school children having to take more tests, so we’re picking up more asymptomatic cases.

Clinical trials into the safety and effectiveness of vaccines among children and young adults are underway, and until we have good data, no child will be offered a jab.

Over the pond in America, the Pfizer vaccine is likely to be approved and rolled out for children aged 12 to 15 as you read this. The US Food and Drug Administration has already cleared its use for people age 16 and above. Pfizer started trials on 12- to 15-year-olds last July and on younger children in March this year. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are testing their vaccines in 12- to 18-year olds, while Pfizer and Moderna have launched trials in small children too, from six months to 11 years old.

Trials of the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine in children and teens have been put on hold while the possible link between the jab and rare blood clots in adults is explored more. We’ll keep you posted!