Do you think they will vaccinate 16-17 yr olds any time soon?

Chickpeasorchips · 2021-06-20T14:44:50+00:00

Going by how many 18 yr olds were keen to get it, it would make sense to move to 16-17 I would have thought as they are old enough to make the choice whether to have it and they will mix a lot outside of school and be working Saturday jobs etc. Do you think they will move on to this age group? haven't seen any news about it.

rainbowunicorn · 20/06/2021 16:30

I hope so. As you say there are a huge number of this age group going out to part time jobs, mixing socially. They are in important years for education so it would make much more sense to offer the vaccine than having them constantly missing school due to self isolating.

I know that my kids and their friends are all eager to get it as they see it as a way to a normal life again. They are all in the 14 to 19 age group.

cherin · 20/06/2021 17:02

The rest of Europe is vaccinating at speed at least 16-18 (many countries all above 12), same with the US. I suspect our bottleneck is availability of Pfizer, the only one cleared for use on minors. But if there was any drop-in session local to us, my 17 would definitely go and ask for a spare dose...

Original poster

Chickpeasorchips · 20/06/2021 17:56

That's a good point cherin maybe we don't have enough Pfizer yet. I do hope that they are able to move to these age groups soon, it would be great for them.

OP posts:

rainbowunicorn · 20/06/2021 18:08

@cherin

The rest of Europe is vaccinating at speed at least 16-18 (many countries all above 12), same with the US. I suspect our bottleneck is availability of Pfizer, the only one cleared for use on minors. But if there was any drop-in session local to us, my 17 would definitely go and ask for a spare dose...

I think that you are correct in that it is a supply issue. They seem to be fairly non-committal at the moment as to whether anyone under 18 without underlying conditions will qualify for a vaccine.

I think they will be wanting to get all the over 18's done with at least one dose, then everyone over 30 with both doses before moving on to the 15/16 - 18 age groups.

It would be ideal if they could have at least have one dose before schools going back in August/September to help reduce cases among that age group.

Landslidelife · 20/06/2021 18:38

I also imagine it's a supply issue. If this is the case I'd prefer to see all 12+ who live with someone vulnerable to be offered vaccination before 16-17 year olds as a whole group. I think this would help especially in cases where the vulnerable person can't be vaccinated.

cherin · 20/06/2021 20:00

Mah, from a global perspective I tend to agree that it’s selfish to give vaccine to healthy 17yolds who might go on and develop mild symptoms, before being sure health personnel and elderly around the globe are covered...its immoral to let it rip in other countries and also risky because the next big variant will hit us, at some point. Selfishly, though, of course a parent doesn’t want to think the education gets disrupted again (last year was more than enough, thank you) and also tons of opportunities can’t happen until restriction are lifted...from summer placements to school trips to university orientation days...and for us forriners not seeing elderly grandparents abroad means one less year of relationship when the clock is already ticking...

FlagsFiend · 20/06/2021 20:13

I know a few 16/17 year olds who are vaccinated. When they told me and I expressed surprise, they told me their trick - they've all been volunteering at the vaccine centre (they all want to work in medicine so good experience).

Lupinhere37 · 20/06/2021 23:24

I was only just talking about this with my DD17. She has been unwell for several months and is terrified of catching COVID.
She’s about to start a weekend/summer job which will involve contact with the public.
She’s not socialising outside of school as she’s been quite withdrawn but her peers are all partying, having mass sleepovers, mixing with multiple different groups and working in retail or hospitality. Few are doing their LFTs, social distancing has long gone.
They are clearly going to be a public health nightmare, if any of them catches COVID.
They really need to vaccinate this group, as otherwise, they’ll be the year group that had both GCSEs and A Levels destroyed. Not to mention the risk they’re bringing to other students and teachers.

StealthPolarBear · 20/06/2021 23:26

Didn't they just say no absolutely definitely not?
Soo yeah, probably in the next couple of weeks I suspect

herecomesthsun · 20/06/2021 23:29

@StealthPolarBear

Didn't they just say no absolutely definitely not? Soo yeah, probably in the next couple of weeks I suspect

no they said they didn't know and are still thinking about it www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/06/20/jvci-scientists-left-dark-whether-children-will-offered-covid/

StealthPolarBear · 20/06/2021 23:29

Fair enough, forgive my cynicism!

H1978 · 20/06/2021 23:32

We live in an area with drop ins for 18 and overs due to high numbers. My 19 year old got her vaccine but they sent back my 16 year old.

mrshoho · 20/06/2021 23:36

@FlagsFiend

I know a few 16/17 year olds who are vaccinated. When they told me and I expressed surprise, they told me their trick - they've all been volunteering at the vaccine centre (they all want to work in medicine so good experience).

I thought the minimum age was 18 to volunteer at vaccination centres?

MirandaWest · 20/06/2021 23:38

I know someone in my DSs year has been volunteering in a vaccination centre - they’re in year 12.

Todaytomorrowyesterday · 20/06/2021 23:39

My friends daughter is vulnerable and she was vaccinated at 16.

cherin · 26/06/2021 12:56

I’m honestly tempted to send my 17.5yo to a walk in centre as soon as he finishes his mocks, and ask if they have any spares…

Sockwomble · 26/06/2021 13:05

I think it would the CV in the 12-17 age group first. Effectively those that already have the flu vaccine.

User574664 · 26/06/2021 13:07

I won’t be vaccinating my child, crazy people would actually do this.

Cookerhood · 26/06/2021 13:07

We are vaccinating anyone over 16 who turns up.

Sockwomble · 26/06/2021 13:13

"I won’t be vaccinating my child, crazy people would actually do this."

Well you are very lucky you don't have child who wouldn't cope with hospital treatment if they became unwell. Mine would be having it for exactly the same reason that those 16+ with a learning disability have it.

Orchidflower1 · 26/06/2021 13:18

@User574664

I won’t be vaccinating my child, crazy people would actually do this.

Depending on your child’s age, you won’t actually have a say in the matter 16+ can give consent themselves.

Sockwomble · 26/06/2021 13:28

Most young people in that age group will be able to give consent for themselves.

cherin · 26/06/2021 13:46

Really? Wow that gives me hope! My son is very very good at keeping distances and masks etc but perhaps it’s a bit too good…in the sense that whilst he appears perfectly happy and comfortable, I believe it’s not very “normal”. At some point he might want to talk to someone who’s not in his family and small groups of school friends. Vaccination also means that he’s got greater range of volunteering activities he could do. He’s quite convinced it’d be good to have it as soon as possible, as long as it’s not taking it from someone who needs it more (so he’d go when he’s called, or for spares)

Wakemeuuuup · 26/06/2021 13:49

@Cookerhood

We are vaccinating anyone over 16 who turns up.

Where are you @Cookerhood. I'll send my 16 yr old

cantkeepawayforever · 26/06/2021 14:03

I really hope soon - in fact I really hope 12+ during the summer - if supply allows, simply to curtail the endless disruption to education.