16 year olds getting vaccinated already?

[PuffingPansy]

Many of DD's 16 & 17 yo friends are now receiving invitations for, and getting their vaccinations here in London. I knew that vaccines had been medically licensed for under 18s but I didn't realise the government had authorised them actually being given out to minors. Is this happening anywhere else yet? - I can't find anything about it online - and if not, why is it happening here?

Bolton are doing im told

Different country, but her in BC Canada you can register 12 - 17yr Olds & bring them along to your appointment. My daughter went with her dad last week & hers (Pfizer)

@Onesailwait

Different country, but her in BC Canada you can register 12 - 17yr Olds & bring them along to your appointment. My daughter went with her dad last week & hers (Pfizer)

In this country the only target set was to vaccinate everyone over 18 by the end of July. I thought the authorities were still negotiating about vaccines for younger teenagers, but perhaps I'm wrong.

As far as I understand there is a continued debate about this. See for example:
www.ft.com/content/6994b6fa-ed45-40c2-a7a7-0067cb8f2697
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/586017

I think that vaccinating perfectly healthy children who are highly unlikely to suffer from covid, for the benefit of adults, is unethical. Most vaccines are designed to protect the society as a whole, but traditionally it also protects the person that's having the vaccine too - with covid and young people it's different.

I know that covid vaccine is sometimes offered to young people in vaccination centres which are running under capacity. I didn't know that invites are being sent out and I'm not sure if any decisions have been made by the government about it - I'd hope not! Here's an article from guardian about it
www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/01/uk-not-approving-covid-jab-for-children-disappointing-says-health-chief
I'd be curious to know - is the letter invite worded to recommend the vaccine to this age group, or is it simply offering the vaccine as an option?

I think anyone who is 16-18 is old enough to decide for themselves.

My 16 year old had had his first vaccine, as I’m on the shielding register anyone in my household over 16 is eligible, he was keen to have it, all his choice

My 17 yo has had both Pfizer jabs. My dh works for Pfizer though so Work perk. She was happy to have them.

My 16 year old would like it.

I'm not sure, it's a little confusing because 18 yr Olds cannot yet independently book a vaccine. But a couple of weeks ago they announced if you have an app booked (we are over 40's) you can bring along your 12 - 17 yr olds at the same time.

Over 16's can have Pfizer, there's been a few drop in days in my area where anyone can go and get a vaccine regardless of age and as it was Pfizer it was opening to anyone over 16.
As a PP said I think 16-18 y/o are old enough to decide for themselves.

I'd be curious to know - is the letter invite worded to recommend the vaccine to this age group, or is it simply offering the vaccine as an option?
Just texts as far as I know, to child or parent's phone, with a link inviting you to book online. Dd is still waiting for hers!

Disgusting.

Brilliant, hope that my 14 yo can get his very soon 🤞

My 25 year old teacher son might be safer if he got the vaccine but it's only supposed to be over 30s.

My 17 year old had Pfizer at the beginning of jan, she works in a nursing home. I know of several under 18s who had theor vaccines in group 6.

And I did not have to give permission for her to have the vaccine.

I have a 14 and 15 yo, their choice but I think they will when possible

How are they getting their invites but my 29 year old DH hasn’t had his yet because he turns 30 in December, not July? I’m 27 and still have a while to wait yet. My dad hasn’t had his second jab yet even though he’s nearly 60 and clinically vulnerable.

Our 17 and 18 year olds have both had their first Pfizer jab as they are in category 6, our area does a specific clinic for 16-18 year olds

I think that vaccinating perfectly healthy children who are highly unlikely to suffer from covid, for the benefit of adults, is unethical. Most vaccines are designed to protect the society as a whole, but traditionally it also protects the person that's having the vaccine too - with covid and young people it's different.

You mean like they've been doing with the flu vaccine for the last ten years?

I think that vaccinating perfectly healthy children who are highly unlikely to suffer from covid, for the benefit of adults, is unethical

What about the not so healthy children? Why don’t they matter? My children will be having the vaccine as soon as they can to help,protect their sibling. That same sibling can expect to live a long life and requires educating alongside his peers. So why not vaccinate to protect him?

@SecretOfChange

As far as I understand there is a continued debate about this. See for example: www.ft.com/content/6994b6fa-ed45-40c2-a7a7-0067cb8f2697 petition.parliament.uk/petitions/586017

I think that vaccinating perfectly healthy children who are highly unlikely to suffer from covid, for the benefit of adults, is unethical. Most vaccines are designed to protect the society as a whole, but traditionally it also protects the person that's having the vaccine too - with covid and young people it's different.

I know that covid vaccine is sometimes offered to young people in vaccination centres which are running under capacity. I didn't know that invites are being sent out and I'm not sure if any decisions have been made by the government about it - I'd hope not! Here's an article from guardian about it
www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/01/uk-not-approving-covid-jab-for-children-disappointing-says-health-chief
I'd be curious to know - is the letter invite worded to recommend the vaccine to this age group, or is it simply offering the vaccine as an option?

Well Rubella doesn’t do much damage to teenage boys afaik. Or many other people except pregnant women?

However, it’s been eradicated from our shores since it became part of the childhood vaccination programme.

@BeingATwatItsABingThing

How are they getting their invites but my 29 year old DH hasn’t had his yet because he turns 30 in December, not July? I’m 27 and still have a while to wait yet. My dad hasn’t had his second jab yet even though he’s nearly 60 and clinically vulnerable.

Our area has pushed through all the age groups very quickly. I had mine ahead of the "advertised" time for my age and well ahead of contemporaries living in other parts of the country. It's quite a demographically young area (ie it's going to take longer to get through all the older age brackets somewhere where there is a large proportion of 50+ people) and has a large ethnic community who are statistically much less likely to come forward when called. Overall vaccination rates for the area are not particularly high.

@Tomnooktoldmeto

Our 17 and 18 year olds have both had their first Pfizer jab as they are in category 6, our area does a specific clinic for 16-18 year olds

Just to clarify, the kids I am referring to are not in any priority category, it seems to be half of DD's school-class! DD can't wait to get the call and I am entirely supportive of her having the vaccine. She's well old enough to make her own medical decisions and wants to play her part in getting the country back on its feet.

@Kyph

My 25 year old teacher son might be safer if he got the vaccine but it's only supposed to be over 30s.

It depends on local rates. Near Bolton it went to all over 18s a week ago.