LONDON: The British government’s independent advisory body at the vaccine said that Friday would not recommend that all children aged 12 to 15 years against Coronavirus, the reason for the “too small” benefit.
Combined Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI), the expert panel that suggested ministers, has weighed this problem after many other countries began to provide jab to adolescents.
This had previously recommended providing a Covid-19 vaccine approved for all children aged 16 and 17 years but only for ages 12 to 15 to 15 years who have the underlying health conditions that make them more susceptible to viruses.
For the advice of JCVI, four British medical officers – in the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – now will provide further input before the final government’s decision.
The committee, which focuses purely on health effects, wants them to consider “a broader social impact, including the benefits of education” will launch vaccines into younger adolescents.
Schools have returned recently across England after a summer vacation, with fear that this can cause a new surge in case after weeks of increasing in infection.
In its recommendations, JCVI argues the benefits of vaccination “slightly larger than known potential losses” from inoculation, while admitting there is a “quite large uncertainty” about them.
“The benefit margin, based on a health perspective, is considered too small to support advice on the universal vaccination program of children aged 12 to 15 years today,” he said.
“As long-term data on potential adverse reactions increase, greater certainty can make it possible to reconsider the benefits and dangers.”
Contrast recommendations with the United States, which was announced in May that younger adolescents will be vaccinated, and many European Union countries including France who have begun to blow the age group.
The four health ministers in the UK wrote Friday for each of their medical officers who asked them to give “a broader perspective” on this problem.
“We will then consider advice from the major medical officers, building advice from JCVI, before making a decision immediately,” said the British Health Secretary Javid in a statement.
England began vaccination in December last year and had stuck almost 89 percent of all adults with the first dose, while more than 79 percent had two shots.