15 year old been offered 2nd jab, not sure why

[elliejjtiny]

I'm obviously very grateful he has been offered it and he will be having it as soon as he is allowed to (had the 1st jab 3 weeks ago). I'm curious to know why though and wondering if we should be taking extra precautions to protect him if he is vulnerable like avoiding crowds of people etc.

The only risk factor I can think of is that he has autism. He has the high functioning introverted type of autism who likes to follow rules though so he isn't like my 7 year old who also has autism, is equally high functioning but will lick people's faces given half a chance, hug random strangers and can't social distance. Or my cousin who has autism with learning difficulties and can't wear a mask.

I'm wondering if the government have decided it's just easier to offer the 2nd jab to all 12-15 year olds (or is it 12-17 year olds who normally only get 1 jab?) who have autism rather than try and find out which of them can wear masks and social distance and which of them can't.

The guidance is only just changing to allow 16 and 17 year olds to get a 2nd vaccine. Apart from that only specific groups of under 18s are being offered 2

Autism is one of the conditions listed for 2nd jabs for 12-15yo, yes, and is not distinguished by severity. My 13yo also' high functioning' autie son hasn't been offered a second jab yet but then he's only 5wks post first.

This is fron the NAS website:
""The NHS website also states that some young people and children aged 12-17 are being offered two doses of the vaccine if “they have a condition that means they’re at high risk of getting seriously ill” from coronavirus. Separately, Public Health England’s Green Book states that autism is a high risk group. We have raised this with NHS England and they have confirmed that this means all autistic children are eligible for two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The second dose must be provided at least eight weeks after the first.

Autistic children who also have severe immunosuppression are recommended to have a third vaccine dose.

Families may need to contact their GP to confirm their child is in one of these high risk groups and needs a second or third dose. NHS England says a clinical decision may still need to be made on a case by case basis.

It is of course still down to individuals and their families to reach an informed choice as to whether they have the vaccine, this change simply gives every autistic child the choice of doing so.""

www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/coronavirus/health/information-about-upcoming-coronavirus-vaccines

My daughter, with a different long term condition, was offered 2 vaccines. Her condition doesn't really put her at higher risk (although adults with that condition might be) but the gp surgery did quite a general search based on long term conditions and picked her up as part of that.
I think a lot of the searches and pick up quite a lot of people not at higher risk, but it's better than missing people out or spending time doing more detailed individual checks.

Autism was added to the vulnerable list in September. My son had his first dose in September but we have been unable to get a second dose. He didn’t receive a letter saying he was eligible so can’t go to a walk in either.

Yep it’s his Autism, my DS with Autism has had his first jab and is getting his second one in a fortnight.
Our GP said it’s because our children with Autism would not manage well with hospitalisation. So this becomes much less likely once jabbed.

Thankyou. I'm quite interested in this as I also have 3 other dc who are nearly eligible for a 2nd dose (or would be if they were old enough) eg 1 has asthma but not severe enough, 1 has autistic traits but no formal diagnosis and 1 has learning difficulties but not severe enough. I keep checking the criteria and the small print in the hope that they will be eligible at some point.