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

[MareofBeasttown]

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/

@herecomesthsun
www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2021/07/C1355-next-steps-following-updated-JCVI-guidance-in-relation-to-COVID-19-vaccinations-for-children-and-young-p.pdf

On radio LBC - decision made now as data allows more confidence re issues for vaccine for younger people

Also monthly review of data as per schedule

One dose only, advice on when to give second dose will be given later.

www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-issues-updated-advice-on-covid-19-vaccination-of-young-people-aged-16-to-17

@RoseWineTime Thanks for linking the letter.
I think however that young people satisfying the 17 3/4 criteria might get jabbed with a letter more easily than young people who are vulnerable - it's much easier to check evidence of age.

We took DD’s passport and the letter and they checked both several times.

aah we have a letter somewhere from his hospital consultant saying that he has an autoimmune disease.

Pleased to see today's update. My 16yr old DS will go for it as he says he doesn't want any more education interrupted/messed up along with hopefully the benefit of a little protection from Covid illness severity/longevity.

@Wellbythebloodyhell

*And to all the ones who are not convinced: it’s not mandatory, it’s voluntary. Teens will be offered it. They’ll have the choice and their parents will have plenty of choices to discuss it.*

I do hope they aren't pressured or socially coerced into the vaccine like adults have been . You can just imagine the threads on here in a few months "my 16yo dd wants a party but 1 friend Is unvaxxed should we in still invite them "
I don't agree with the discrimination against unvaxxed adults in the first place but I'd hate for that to transpire down to our teenagers.

Yes I agree 100% with this.

Children should not be coerced into this jab for fear they are missing out on events or feeling like the odd one out

@Wellbythebloodyhell

*And to all the ones who are not convinced: it’s not mandatory, it’s voluntary. Teens will be offered it. They’ll have the choice and their parents will have plenty of choices to discuss it.*

I do hope they aren't pressured or socially coerced into the vaccine like adults have been . You can just imagine the threads on here in a few months "my 16yo dd wants a party but 1 friend Is unvaxxed should we in still invite them "
I don't agree with the discrimination against unvaxxed adults in the first place but I'd hate for that to transpire down to our teenagers.

Exactly. Happy for them to have a choice (as long as it's definitely their choice and not their parents pressuring them) but if they start putting restrictions on children depending on whether they are vaxxed or not then that's a totally different thing. Shouldn't happen for adults - definitely should not happen for children.

@jacspatoutthecat don't seem to of done boris fertility any harm

@Scarcity20 I think I will let my 16 year old decide for himself and weigh up the risks of having vaccine or having covid
Having covid isn't risk free either

What about the fact that there is no long term data? Are any of you not at all concerned?

I'm concerned about there being no long term data for the effects of covid infection on teens, too. Of the two, the vaccine seems lower risk.

@Balloonrace

I'm concerned about there being no long term data for the effects of covid infection on teens, too. Of the two, the vaccine seems lower risk.

Based on what?

I just knew the anti Covid vaxxers would be drawn to this like bees to honey. If you don't want it, don't have it. As simple as that. As for posters saying the vaccine is not effective.... well. Bar your 17 yr old from having it then. If you can.

@MareofBeasttown
Someone isn’t antivax just because they want to be extra cautious about what is injected into their child’s body! Especially when there is such a tiny risk to them if they catch Covid naturally - which might even give them better protection!

I don’t know what goes on with some of you here on mumsnet, it really does not reflect what I hear in real life. I have maybe heard two mums say they would consider letting their kids have the jab vs many more who say they would rather not!

It is ok to want to be extra careful about your own kids! I believe our number one duty as a parent is to protect them - i have said before- all of mine had covid last year, they are fine! Why would I then choose to give them a vaccine that might cause side effects when they have already had covid!?

I was very careful to say anti Covid vax, not anti vaxxers. Obviously I believe my number one duty as a parent is to listen to medical advice from professionals, not mums on the net. Especially those whose posts are full of misinformation. You want to be extra cautious, go ahead. But this dog in the manger attitude is bizarre.

@MareofBeasttown
Clearly I am not saying listen to the mums here! But have a bit of critical thinking skills and maybe see if there has ever been any medication or vaccine in the past that has possibly done harm to people…they don’t always get it right!

Maybe we as a family are much more relaxed because we all had covid and are fine.
I can appreciate others who haven’t come across it feeling more nervous about catching it naturally.

Am just a bit bored of the antivax term being thrown out the minute someone wants to be a bit extra cautious or just wants some more time to see how things pan out - especially in relation to children.

If COVID was like Ebola or even yellow fever then yes of course I would take the small risk of side effects and vaccinate them. But it’s not anything like that for them!

I guess I lack critical thinking skills then and the ability to do my own research.

@MareofBeasttown

I was very careful to say anti Covid vax, not anti vaxxers. Obviously I believe my number one duty as a parent is to listen to medical advice from professionals, not mums on the net. Especially those whose posts are full of misinformation. You want to be extra cautious, go ahead. But this dog in the manger attitude is bizarre.

Spot on. 👌

16 and 17 year olds don’t need parental consent to have the vaccine. It will be up to them to make the decision.

[quote SoOvethis]@MareofBeasttown
Someone isn’t antivax just because they want to be extra cautious about what is injected into their child’s body! Especially when there is such a tiny risk to them if they catch Covid naturally - which might even give them better protection!

I don’t know what goes on with some of you here on mumsnet, it really does not reflect what I hear in real life. I have maybe heard two mums say they would consider letting their kids have the jab vs many more who say they would rather not!

It is ok to want to be extra careful about your own kids! I believe our number one duty as a parent is to protect them - i have said before- all of mine had covid last year, they are fine! Why would I then choose to give them a vaccine that might cause side effects when they have already had covid!?[/quote]
Totally agree.

It has never even been a hidden message - vaccinating children will not be for their benefit but for the benefit of the wider society. Is it right that we make our children potentially sacrifice their health for the benefit of others?

That really is not actually what was said at the press conference yesterday, by the way.

And other vaccine programmes vaccinate those who aren't at particular risk : children get the flu jab.

Ime very few of the posters on here and on Twitter who pipe up about this have children of vaccination age.

My 17 yo would get his like a shot. Unfortunately he currently has covid, as does my 20 year old.