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Original poster

JCVI expected to extend vaccine to 16 and 17 year olds.

205 replies

MareofBeasttown · 04/08/2021 08:42

Good news. As some of us predicted, the JCVI has changed its mind.
This is behind a paywall, but I read the whole article on Twitter ( which I can't seem to paste here).

Anyway, the headline is self-explanatory.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/08/03/mass-vaccination-children-against-covid-planned/

OP posts:
3asAbird · 04/08/2021 08:45

Doesn't make me feel any better about my 15 year old asthmatic daughter due to start year 11 and gcses.
Least 6th forms are smaller and smaller classes less subjects.

10 to 15 year old have high high rates covid infections in autumn and summer term.
Makes me feel it all about supply issues not whats right and making schools safer.

EndoplasmicReticulum · 04/08/2021 08:52

Changed its mind, or delayed a bit until sufficient supply? Either way I'm pleased my 16 year old about to start 6th form will likely have a jab before he starts. His year 11 brother will have to wait a bit longer and hope his GCSE year is not as disrupted as the last two.

sashagabadon · 04/08/2021 08:57

I’m generally against vaccinating younger teens but I am happy if the JCVI have decided the balance is for vaccinating 16+
I trust their judgements generally.

Original poster
MareofBeasttown · 04/08/2021 08:57

Yes, I expect it's a supply issue, and expect they will extend it further to under 16s when more Pfizer becomes available.

OP posts:
RoseWineTime · 04/08/2021 08:59

If it is a supply issue then I’m not sure what else they can do about it?
I will be taking my 17 year old who is today within 3 months of her 18th birthday to a few drop in centres to see if they will vaccinate her before our holiday to Greece and her subsequent trip to Reading festival 🤞

sashagabadon · 04/08/2021 09:00

I doubt it’s about supply? They’re talking about boosters for half the population come the autumn, and exporting too.
That suggests abundance of supply to me.
There is an argument against boosters for our older people and vaccinating our healthy teens when many others in the world have not even had one jab but probably another thread required!

Marguerite2000 · 04/08/2021 09:06

It is a supply issue, the booster doses are a seperate order and aren't available yet. Uptake has been lower in the 18-24 age group than was hoped for, hence more doses becoming available for 16-18 year olds.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 04/08/2021 09:07

Thank goodness a step towards vaccinating our teens.
Of course it would have been rather more helpful had they started this at the beginning of the summer, so that when they go back to schools and colleges they would have some protection.

fadingfast · 04/08/2021 09:07

I’m relieved and will be encouraging my DS16 to have it. I’m worried about the possible impact of lingering symptoms and disruption to his A level years, after the complete shambles of his two GCSE years.

Suzi888 · 04/08/2021 09:07

They’ll roll it out to everyone.

ihearttc · 04/08/2021 09:21

Don’t know how I feel about this tbh. I’ve had both vaccines. Both me and DS1 who is 16 had Covid back in early Feb. DS wasn’t really ill at all (lost taste and smell) but hasn’t been right ever since…he really aches all over and is exhausted.
I’m not sure I really want to put in another load of Covid into his system especially as he has already had it and should therefore have some protection.

Original poster
MareofBeasttown · 04/08/2021 09:27

Umm...it is not mandatory? Your DS can skip it.

OP posts:
Abraxan · 04/08/2021 09:29

I'm glad that parents and teens are at least going to be given the choice.

Fine if some teens don't want it but at least those who do are now being given the chance to make that choice.

We have recently had a festival in our city and the number of under 18yo teens who have caught Covid at it is sky high apparently.

Abraxan · 04/08/2021 09:29

@ihearttc

Don’t know how I feel about this tbh. I’ve had both vaccines. Both me and DS1 who is 16 had Covid back in early Feb. DS wasn’t really ill at all (lost taste and smell) but hasn’t been right ever since…he really aches all over and is exhausted. I’m not sure I really want to put in another load of Covid into his system especially as he has already had it and should therefore have some protection.
The vaccine doesn't 'put Covid' into your system. That's not how they work.
Redlocks28 · 04/08/2021 10:12

Excellent news-hopefully this will pave the way to 12+ being offered it very soon.

Redcrayons · 04/08/2021 10:16

@RoseWineTime

If it is a supply issue then I’m not sure what else they can do about it? I will be taking my 17 year old who is today within 3 months of her 18th birthday to a few drop in centres to see if they will vaccinate her before our holiday to Greece and her subsequent trip to Reading festival 🤞
I had my 17 and 3/4s done a couple of weeks ago. I had to phone three Pfizer drop in centres till I got one who said yes. They ARE allowed to give it out rather than let vaccines go to waste but it’s up to the clinician on site.
rottenatthetop · 04/08/2021 10:32

Good.

Shame they left it so long that now the 16-17 year olds won't be double-vaccinated when they go back to school and college in September. Totally unnecessary to screw this up as well.

Hope schools and sixth forms will now acknowledge that many sixth formers are vaccinated, some even double vaccinated depending on being CV/CEV/living in an area that was ahead of schedule in vaccination programme. Schools and sixth forms can no longer continue to treat these young people as hazardous and impose draconian restrictions when they are double vaccinated.

Being double vaccinated must be acknowledged and recognised by the schools and sixth forms. And double-vaccinated sixth formers must have the same rights and entitlements as double-vaccinated adults in the whole population.

rottenatthetop · 04/08/2021 10:35

It will make schools safer. The Guardian today reports that vaccinated people are three times less likely to test positive.

supercritter · 04/08/2021 10:37

Wish they would make it 15+ to cover all year 11

Cornettoninja · 04/08/2021 10:46

@ihearttc what does your ds want to do? Realistically, at 16 barring other circumstances, it should be his decision.

Redlocks28 · 04/08/2021 11:13

@supercritter

Wish they would make it 15+ to cover all year 11
I’d go for 12+!
3asAbird · 04/08/2021 11:13

Autumn is too late needs be before term starts or we will mass outbreaks and Infections in schools .
Last Autumn jon van tam said this infection then spread to older age groups.

loulouljh · 04/08/2021 11:15

It was originally not recommended due to concerns about severe heart issues as a result. What has changed?

noblegiraffe · 04/08/2021 11:17

They couldn't do it at the start of the summer ready for September because they didn't have enough supply of Pfizer. There's a delivery due in September.

balzamico · 04/08/2021 11:22

@Abraxan is that Tramlines (the festival)? I'm hearing a lot anecdotally but there's no actual facts I can find.

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