Until August, the UK decided to expand the vaccination program to 16-17 year olds, while the US and many other Western countries have planned or started to vaccinate teenagers 12 years and older.
Although they rarely get seriously ill, teenagers can still be infected with the virus and pass it on to their grandparents and parents, increasing the risk of spreading the epidemic in the community, especially with the Delta variant.
Nearly 90% of adults in the UK have had at least one dose and more than three-quarters of the adult population have had a full dose, while the US rates are 75% and 64% respectively.
The low risk of severe progression in young people when infected with Covid-19 and concerns about vaccine safety in many other countries are the reasons why the UK is hesitant to vaccinate people under 18 years old.
The US started vaccinating children 12 years old and older in May. France also started vaccinating this age group in mid-June, with more than 50% of children aged 12-17 having received at least one dose.
He appeared slow in this race.
The panel recommends that healthy 16-17 year olds be promptly vaccinated with at least one dose as a preventative approach.
Teenagers wait outside a Covid-19 vaccination site in London on August 5.
This change shows that the JCVI has somewhat eased concerns about rare side effects of the Pfizer vaccine, which have been linked to cases of myocarditis and pericarditis, especially in younger men.
`I’m glad we got our turn,` said Jimmy Sergi, 17, of Wirral.
Many British scientists believe that the government is too cautious.
`This reflects a misconception that adolescents are at low risk from Covid-19, while ignoring the long-term complications of the virus for them,` said Martin McKee, professor of public health at the School of Medicine.
Germany initially chose a similar approach to Britain but changed course, unanimously recommending vaccination for people aged 12-17 last month.
With many epidemics, vaccination for children is also considered a solution that benefits other age groups.
`This is just one example of society coming together to share risks for one age group to benefit the community,` said Adam Ratner, a pediatric infectious disease doctor in New York.
Many managers in the UK are also concerned that the government’s excessive caution with the Covid-19 vaccine could affect vaccination plans for other important vaccines for adolescents.
`We are worried that they are starting to refuse HPV vaccines, meningococcal or tetanus vaccines,` said a person familiar with the JCVI discussions.
Thanh Tam (According to WSJ)
