GIVE KIDS JAB TO DEAL WITH DELTA VARIANT
Sturgeon adviser Sridhar says pupils aged 12 to 15 should be protected
THE vaccine rollout should be extended to 12 to 15-year-olds as the dominant Delta variant is “flying through schools”, according to Nicola Sturgeon’s top Covid adviser.
So far, vaccines are being offered to healthy people aged 16 and above, and those considered at-risk in the 12-15 age bracket.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has not yet advised on broadening the rollout further.
But Devi Sridhar, professor of global public health at Edinburgh University, said vaccine advisers are being “very cautious” and warned that
“waiting and watching costs
time”. Asked about 12 to 15-year-olds being offered jabs, she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Either you’re going to be exposed to Covid without any protection or you can be exposed and have a vaccine.
“And we should be offering teens that vaccine so they have that protection before going back into schools.”
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the return of Scottish schools this term had contributed to a rise in cases in the country.
And Sridhar said: “I think the issue is they (the JCVI) are being very cautious.
“They’re waiting and watching and I guess the issue with a pandemic is that waiting and watching costs time.” She said not jabbing this age group now would mean “they’ve lost that window of time”.
She added: “It’s an emergency situation and we have Delta, which is so infectious. I mean, it’s just flying through schools as we know.
“But not just here, Germany, Denmark, even places like New Zealand and Australia are struggling with Delta compared to the original virus.”
It comes amid reports the NHS in England has drawn up plans to start jabbing this age group as pupils return to class after the summer break.
The UK Department of Health has insisted no decisions have yet been made to extend the vaccine programme to younger people but said they “continue to plan for a range of scenarios”.
NHS trusts in England have been told to prepare for the possible rollout of vaccines to 12 to 15-year-olds from September 6, according to newspaper claims. A spokesman for the Department of Health said: “No decisions have been made on vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds and it is inaccurate to suggest otherwise.
“Ministers have not yet received further advice from the JCVI on this cohort. We continue to plan for a range of scenarios to ensure we are prepared for all eventualities.”
Returning pupils in England are being urged to get tested – and vaccinated where possible – to stop the virus spreading and minimise disruption to lessons.
The Welsh Government has asked that parents test their children for coronavirus at least twice a week regardless of whether they have symptoms or not once the new academic year starts in September.
All 16 and 17-year-olds in Wales have now been offered the vaccine, and 12 to 15-year-olds who are clinically vulnerable will also be offered vaccination before term starts.
I think the issue is the JCVI are being cautious DEVI SRIDHAR ON CHILD VACCINE DECISION