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?

it's going to take longer to get through all the older age brackets somewhere where there is a large proportion of 50+ people

It's not about proportion. It's numbers.

A hamlet with 20 people in total and 10 of them elderly would have 50% elderly...

London has more elderly than anywhere else in the country. Lower take up rate though - which is why they might be doing younger in some boroughs (definitely not all).

Some parts of London have high levels of the Delta variant. I assume, if as a PP has says they're offering 16-18 in Bolton too, the government is trying to protect people in areas of particularly high risk.

Someone upthread suggested it's about protecting adults. Aside from the fact that it's psychologically protecting a child if their parents and other loved ones are protected (bereaved children suffer a lot), there is also Long Covid. Which does affect children too. A poster on another thread wrote yesterday about how it has affected her ds.

The EU has approved it for 12-15 year olds, Israel, UAE, and America are already vaccinating children.

The only issue is limited supplies.

It's not about proportion. It's numbers. A hamlet with 20 people in total and 10 of them elderly would have 50% elderly...

Yeah, sorry used the wrong word.

London has more elderly than anywhere else in the country. Lower take up rate though - which is why they might be doing younger in some boroughs (definitely not all).

This borough is one with a young demographic. More children and people of working age, less old folk.

Are you sure they don't qualify because they have CEV family members or any other reason (not age related)?

My 16 and 17 year olds have had their first one as I on CEV.

Both my 14 and nearly 13 year olds want theirs.
Any risk (like long Covid or the one that mirrors Kawasaki disease) is too much risk.

29 year old DH hasn’t had his yet because he turns 30 in December, not July? hmm I’m 27 and still have a while to wait yet.
DD (23) had a text from GP and getting hers tomorrow-no underlying conditions -just that the GP has worked through all their older categories.

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

Many vaccines are given for the protection of others as well as the child. It’s to protect those that can’t have the vaccine for any number of reasons: too young, adverse reactions, etc. Herd immunity benefits all.

Even if there is a very small chance my child will suffer if she gets covid, I would happily have her vaccinated because any risk is too much risk of her suffering when that can be easily prevented. It’s also to protect her younger sister because she’s only a baby. DH and I will be vaccinated even though there is very low risk to us in the same way that we followed lockdown rules even though covid was unlikely to be fatal for us. We are not that selfish.

Ds is 16 and autistic. When I put his details into the book a vaccine site online it says that he is been allocated a vaccine not available through the booking service and to contact our GP for advice on how to book an appointment. Our GP has made no contact yet and I'm not sure if that means he is eligible?

My 18 (just) DS had his yesterday.

Because the Scottish government had fucked up yet again with their appointment system, there was unused Pfizer at the local centre and there were messages flying around his year group WhatsApp saying they were jabbing anyone who could get there under their own steam.

@nordica

Are you sure they don't qualify because they have CEV family members or any other reason (not age related)?

No, just ordinary teens. Half the class seen to have been asked. Hence my surprise.

My 17 year old has had his. I have a friend who works at a vaccination centre and they offer last minute appointments at the end of the day when they have cancellations so she added us to the waiting list and got one the same day. I guess they can't advertise them widely as the demand would outstrip supply.

My 16year old daughter has had hers in Bolton

You have to meet the criteria and live in certain boroughs but they have been loose in the interpretation eg if one person in your household is considered vulnerable or you live with over 65's

For a child where the risk of covid is tiny.

It's lower risk but still a risk. Particularly of Long Covid.

metro.co.uk/2021/06/03/scotland-high-number-of-children-in-hospital-with-covid-14708552/

www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-19/long-haul-covid-kids-coronavirus-proving-more-serious-risk-to-children

I hope we join the EU, UAE, Israel, and America in approving vaccines for children.
The main problem we have right now is limited supply. Hopefully it will increase soon.

www.forbes.com/sites/williamhaseltine/2021/06/03/dont-let-children-be-the-casualties-of-covid-19-complacency/?sh=59b2ce225982

Until a few years ago we were part of the EU. Presumably, given the Remain vote was relatively high, a lot of people still trust their medical authorities (who we used to work with)?

They have approved the vaccine as safe for children over 12. As has UAE, Israel, America, Singapore, and others.

They clearly see the risks of long covid as greater than very rare vaccine side effects.

with increased risk for younger people?

Wasn't there recent research suggesting the biggest risk of the very rare vaccine clots was people in their 40s?

Think it was posted somewhere on another thread - but I might've misread?

Over 16s def can here but only by queuing up not booking online.
Presume they don’t “count” as an adult vaccinated.

Not heard anything about 16& 17s being invited “officially” though.
Obviously they have a choice so I think it’s great if offered. Hopefully all of them will get a chance soon enough.

@Tealightsandd

For a child where the risk of covid is tiny.

It's lower risk but still a risk. Particularly of Long Covid.

metro.co.uk/2021/06/03/scotland-high-number-of-children-in-hospital-with-covid-14708552/

www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-19/long-haul-covid-kids-coronavirus-proving-more-serious-risk-to-children

I hope we join the EU, UAE, Israel, and America in approving vaccines for children.
The main problem we have right now is limited supply. Hopefully it will increase soon.

Pfizer now approved for 12-15 y/o

Has anyone heard if/when vaccine will be offered to 17 year olds who will be 18 before 1st September ie current year 13. They will be going to university in September so should ideally have both vaccines before going to university. Seems a shame to make them wait till they are 18 rather than vaccinating them with the rest of their school year.