It follows the recommendation from the UK's four chief medical officers that it would help reduce disruption to their schooling this winter and b

What difference will jabbing young teens make?

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2021-09-25 16:30:05

It follows the recommendation from the UK's four chief medical officers that it would help reduce disruption to their schooling this winter and benefit those growing up in the poorest areas.

Last week, the UK's advisory body, the JCVI, said there was only a marginal benefit to vaccinating adolescents on health grounds alone and stopped short of recommending it - but it did advise vaccinating children over 12 with specific underlying health conditions who are at greater risk.

The JCVI focused squarely on the health benefits of vaccination to children themselves - not on the impact to their schooling or other people.

Children's risk from Covid isn't zero but the chances of them becoming seriously ill from Covid are incredibly small. Deaths among healthy children are extremely rare - most have life-limiting health conditions.

Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at University of East Anglia, says there's been intense pressure on the JCVI and he can understand why they have been cautious.