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Original poster

Covid jab for 16yo

52 replies

RacistAngst · 04/09/2021 09:45

Can someone confirm that 16yo are due to only get one dose of the vaccine?

Has there been any studies at all in delaying the seond dose by months rather than the usual 8 weeks?

I want dc to have the jab (and so does he) but not if it means the second dose is delayed so much that he is never getting fully protected iyswim. Id rather wait util dc can get the two doses iyswim.

OP posts:
Geamhradh · 05/09/2021 10:21

@myrtilles

I know of a 16 yr old who had an appointment for their second jab and the clinic cancelled it due to gov changing its position. It seems unclear what level of protection 16 yr olds have with just one jab. I also worry that the gov will suddenly introduce a second dose beyond the recommended 8 weeks and wonder what this will mean in terms of protection. Furthermore if countries like France require covid passes for virtually every activity presumably the one dose of vaccine will not be counted as sufficient for a covid pass.
The EU Covid pass (at least in Italy, but I'm guessing it's EU wide) is given 12 days after first dose and is accepted everywhere, but becomes invalidated if you don't have the second dose. So, yes, it's all going to be problematic if that becomes the same for the NHS pass.
SilverGlitterBaubles · 05/09/2021 10:22

Also just thinking how this group have been completely shafted all through this, missing GCSEs, exam fiasco stress, lost learning now half jabbed in limbo and highly likely to face more disruption to their A levels. Oh and no plan from Gav Williamson yet on what form exams will take for this group, as if it it came as a complete surprise to him that schools returned in September 🤯

NormaSwilly · 05/09/2021 10:24

My 17 year old was told at his first jab on Thurs that he wouldn't get his second until he turns 18 (next Spring).

Staywithmemyblood · 05/09/2021 10:30

We’re in Scotland and 16-17 year olds can get their 2nd vaccine 8 weeks after their first

Original poster
RacistAngst · 05/09/2021 10:33

The message is confusing isn’t it?

@myrtilles, I have this issue re covid pass too. My parents are in France and I have no idea how we will manage to go and see them if the U.K. sticks to the one dose idea :(

OP posts:
Original poster
RacistAngst · 05/09/2021 10:33

@Staywithmemyblood

We’re in Scotland and 16-17 year olds can get their 2nd vaccine 8 weeks after their first
Maybe I should move to scotland!
OP posts:
Sarcobaleno · 05/09/2021 10:36

@Staywithmemyblood

We’re in Scotland and 16-17 year olds can get their 2nd vaccine 8 weeks after their first
I'm also in Scotland. DC had first dose 3 weeks ago and was told 8 weeks to second but this is on Scottish Government's website

"All young people aged 16 to 17 years will be offered a first dose of the coronavirus vaccine in Scotland. The timing of the second dose will be confirmed later."

Sounds like a shift in strategy is possible Hmm

AlexaShutUp · 05/09/2021 10:38

My dnephew in Scotland was told that he would only get the one jab for now. Confused

NormaSwilly · 05/09/2021 10:42

@RacistAngst
My brother lives in France, he has had covid and they only gave him 1 vaccine and declare him fully vaccinated now; as 1 vaccine plus previous covid infection is considered full coverage.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 05/09/2021 10:45

Does anyone understand the thinking behind this? We have all been told repeatedly of the importance of the second jab and the effectiveness of gaps between doses. If some are jabbed now and have to wait for a very long time for a second it just seems completely pointless.

toomuchlaundry · 05/09/2021 10:50

Was the reasoning for only one jab because the very rare heart issues in young men were occurring after the second jab?

haliborange0verdose · 05/09/2021 10:51

I'm really confused by all this. My son was 17y 5m when he had his first jab, at a drop-in centre. The vaccinator told him that he should come back in 3 weeks for his 2nd jab! I had never heard anything to this effect so I went back over and checked with the staff, they all agreed that the 2nd dose could be given any time after 19 days!
I didn't take him back after 3 weeks obviously as I couldn't find anything in writing to support this, everything I read said 8 weeks minimum - but are they now saying there shouldn't even BE a second dose?

AlexaShutUp · 05/09/2021 10:52

@SilverGlitterBaubles

Does anyone understand the thinking behind this? We have all been told repeatedly of the importance of the second jab and the effectiveness of gaps between doses. If some are jabbed now and have to wait for a very long time for a second it just seems completely pointless.
My understanding is that the JCVI were concerned about the very slight risk to young men of myocarditis following the pfizer jab, as the risk is apparently somewhat higher after the second dose. I believe that they were trying to gather further data on this before deciding whether the potential risks of a second dose would outweigh the likely benefits, given that young people are already at a very low risk from covid itself.

I believe that they will conclude that the risk is minimal and that the second doses should be given, but we'll have to wait and see.

AlexaShutUp · 05/09/2021 10:54

I have to say that, as the mother of a 16yo daughter, it seems odd to deny her a second dose because of possible risks to young men...

SilverGlitterBaubles · 05/09/2021 11:08

@AlexaShutUp Agreed. I also cannot see how the risks would magically change significantly for those a few weeks either side of their 18th birthday. It was previously agreed within 3 months of their 18th but anecdotally at least this seems to have changed.

AlexaShutUp · 05/09/2021 11:15

Well, yes, exactly. If the risks are there for 17yos, I'm pretty sure they're the same for the 18yos as well, though I guess they have to have the cut off somewhere.

I'm grateful for dd having had the one jab, but I know that she would like to have the second one as well!

Original poster
RacistAngst · 05/09/2021 11:34

[quote NormaSwilly]@RacistAngst
My brother lives in France, he has had covid and they only gave him 1 vaccine and declare him fully vaccinated now; as 1 vaccine plus previous covid infection is considered full coverage.[/quote]
Dc hasn’t had covid though….

OP posts:
Original poster
RacistAngst · 05/09/2021 11:38

@AlexaShutUp, why are all other countries being happy to. double. jab teenagers then?

Personally I think they have issues getting enough jabs and are holding on to see if they give a. 3rd dose. to vulnerable people or the second dose to teenagers

(FWIW they’ve started giving a booster to elderly in France - need to wait 6 months since the last injection)

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 05/09/2021 11:43

No idea tbh. Not saying that it is or isn't safe as I'm not expert enough to be able to know. I'm just saying that that's the official explanation that I've heard. 🤷

I honestly don't know if it's a supply problem, if it's the JCVI being too cautious or if it's other countries not being cautious enough. All I know is that my dd is hoping to get her second jab ASAP and I also want her to have it!

myrtilles · 05/09/2021 11:50

The uk has just shipped 4 million Pfizer jabs to Australia so I hope there are enough left to allow for 16 and 17 year olds to have a second dose.

Piggywaspushed · 05/09/2021 12:06

I'm confused by this too OP. My 17 year old is due a single dose(delayed slightly ironically by covid). At some point he will turn 18 and need to be double jabbed. I am not sure a gap of 8 months ( and for 16 year olds more!)will count as double jabbing. There has been precious little clarity on this.

SpottyBlueTeacup · 05/09/2021 12:23

My son is in the same situation. He had his first dose last week ready to return to 6th form on Wednesday. He is 18 next March and they made a point of asking him when his birthday was and that he wasn’t eligible for the 2nd dose. I have since been made aware that friends with 17 year olds are
deliberately waiting to get the first vaccine close to their 18th birthday so that they qualify for the second jab and can go abroad on holiday next year. What the???
I thought the whole point was to prevent transmission as much as possible at school/college, especially to prevent disruption to this age group who have been messed about already with exams etc., but a lot seem to be waiting to get the jab.

Does that mean my son will need the first dose again at 18 so he will get the 2nd? We are hoping to venture abroad too next year (fingers crossed) but his education is top priority for him so we had him jabbed. He missed his GCSE’s (predicted grades) and has been sent home to self isolate 7 times!! On top of school closures he is expected to study the entire A-level courses between next Wednesday and exam time next summer as the teacher I spoke to said they would ‘cram’ it in. I feel this age group will suffer badly anyway with grades next year but this whole vaccine thing is completely crazy!

Original poster
RacistAngst · 05/09/2021 13:13

@myrtilles

The uk has just shipped 4 million Pfizer jabs to Australia so I hope there are enough left to allow for 16 and 17 year olds to have a second dose.
Yes. They’ve also ordered a big batch directly from Pfizer so at some point, there should be more vaccines available.

But I think there is the issue of the booster and the more vulnerable all had Pfizer - first vaccine to be ready. Who will they prioritise?

Arrrg…..

OP posts:
SilverGlitterBaubles · 05/09/2021 13:21

I agree @SpottyBlueTeacup this group in particular have really been messed around.

SpottyBlueTeacup · 06/09/2021 07:14

I wonder if their reasoning is because those turning 18 are likely to be going off to university/work??? Just a thought.