Children and vaccines

sir – The announcement that children aged between 12 and 15 are to receive a single dose of the Covid vaccine has given rise to heated debate about what is in their “best interests”. There has been no attempt, however, to consult children and young people, or to invite their participation in policymaking.

We are particularly concerned that the Government has no plan for allowing children to speak directly to health leaders and policymakers. Since they are being asked to provide their informed consent for the vaccine, it is vital that they are directly and explicitly engaged in the decisions affecting their lives.

Furthermore, with a great deal of misinformation and disinformation being disseminated about the vaccines online, we need to ensure that children have access to clear scientific and medical advice.

For example, schools could provide lessons on the vaccine in which different sources of information are identified, verified and deliberated. This could be facilitated through “town hall” meetings online or in schools, as well as press conferences directed at children and young people. Parents, carers and teachers must also be involved.

We need to move beyond the emotive tenor of the media debate around children’s vaccines, which has polarised perspectives. The best way to do this is to prioritise the voices and perspectives of children and young people, support their engagement with these debates and actively involve them in key decisions relating to the vaccine.

Dr Liam Berriman

University of Sussex

Dr Sevasti-melissa Nolas

Goldsmiths, University of London

Professor Michelle Lefevre

University of Sussex

Dr Rebecca Webb

University of Sussex and 110 others; see telegraph.co.uk