Give jab to school kids Expert backs plan to vaccinate 16 and 17-year-olds
A COVID expert has backed a plan to give secondary school pupils in Scotland the vaccine in a bid to reach herd immunity.
Professor Linda Bauld said a number of nations give the jab to 16 and 17-years-olds and there were a “number of reasons” for extending it across the UK. It was reported yesterday Pfizer jabs could be offered to high school pupils from September when the school year starts.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson, which covers England, said: “No decisions have been made
on whether children should be offered vaccinations and we will be guided by the experts once clinical trials have concluded.”
Bauld, an Edinburgh University academic who has been an authoritative voice during the pandemic, said: “A number of countries already include 16 and 17-year-olds in their Covid vaccine programme but to extend to younger age groups requires data from trials with children which are under way.
“Pfizer has already reported topline results from their trial with 12 to 15-year-olds in the US. The results were positive in terms of efficacy as was the safety profile.
“The MHRA [Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency] would need to approve it for use in the UK including in Scotland, and we need to wait and see whether that occurs.” She added: “I can see a number of reasons for extending the vaccine programme to adolescents in order to contribute to population immunity.”
If the MHRA gives approval, it is believed this will apply to all the UK and guidance would be issued.
The Scottish Government said: “We regularly review policy on vaccinations in light of scientific evidence and advice.
“Face coverings should continue to be worn by pupils, while free lateral flow testing kits were introduced on April 26.”