Vaccinations for under 18s
AS WINTER is approaching, it’s important for parents, guardians, and carers to lend a hand and help ensure that our teenagers are vaccinated so they don’t get left behind and don’t miss out on things that matter to them this autumn.
More than 50 per cent of 16 and 17 year olds have already received a vaccine.
It is important that all 12 to 17 year olds get vaccinated if they haven’t already had one.
The jab is the best way to protect your young people from serious illness and hospitalisation as a result of the virus and it’s quick, easy and free.
Influencer Amazing Arabella, 17, said, “It is important for young people to have the vaccine. Young people think they’re immune to everything, but we can actually be spreading the virus, especially to older people. It’s important that we all get it, and it helps communities and families all get back to normal.
“Halloween and Christmas are coming up and we all want to go to them; we don’t want to miss them. We want to spend time with our families too. And we just want to be out and about, and back to normal. I’m looking forward to going back to normal.”
Dr Farzana Hussain is a GP in Newham, London, and clinical director of Newham Central 1 Primary Care Network. She is also a co-chair of the National PCN Network at NHS Confederation.
She said the vaccination is safe for black, Asian and minority ethnic young people.
“Covid infection rates for BAME people are higher and are more likely to cause death and serious illness. Therefore, it is more important for them to be vaccinated,” Dr Hussain said.
“If you’re Bangladeshi, you’re five times more likely to die of Covid, than if you are white. We do know the vaccine is the only thing that can save your life.”
She added, “It’s true younger people are less likely to suffer serious illness because of Covid. However, young people are still at risk from Covid and, moreover, long Covid.
“The vaccines protect us against Covid, death and serious illness. It is so much safer to take it than risk death or serious illness. All religious groups endorse the vaccine. The mosques and imams have endorsed it, the English Muslim Council has endorsed it; there are no animal products; it’s completely halal.”
She revealed her son just started medical school at Manchester University and while he was initially hesitant about having the jab because he was so young, he has now been double-jabbed.
Dr Hussain said, “He feels secure and can go to all the freshers’ parties and mix with other students and feel less worried. He knows he has less chance of getting Covid or, if he does, he is at less risk of getting a serious illness.”
Arabella said, “On my digital platforms I’ve interviewed a few doctors who have worked on the vaccine, talking about how safe it is and why it’s important for everyone to get it.
“I learned from those conversations, so if anyone wants to see those videos or do research before they go get the vaccine, to just make them feel a bit better about it, I think they should.”
Vaccinated people are also less likely to pass the virus on to elderly family members, which is important to keep in mind as the weather gets colder and we socialise indoors more often.
If you are a parent or carer, you should encourage your 16 or 17-year-old to book their jab themselves, or alternatively, help them to book their jab.
For teenagers considering whether to get jabbed, it’s important to remember that vaccination is the best way to protect you, your friends, and your family, and you’re less likely to pass it onto your mates when doing your GCSEs and A-levels.
The Covid vaccine will also be offered to teenagers aged 12-15 years, with a view to get them back in the classroom in the safest way possible and allowing them to enjoy the things they love with friends and family.
Even for 12 to 15-year-olds, the vaccine is far safer than the risks of catching Covid-19 and reduces the chances of hospitalisation due to serious illness caused by the virus.