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Children aged 16 and 17 will be offered a Covid vaccine before they return for the new school year in September, according to reports.
The move is “likely to be approved in a few weeks” as the government hopes to secure UK freedom once and for all on July 19.
Vaccines would not be offered to teens until August – just before they return for the new term, according to The sun.
The UK has a large enough supply of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to offer the first doses to every 16 and 17 year old by the end of August, we learned.
A source from Whitehall said: “Subject to the approval of the Joint Committee on Immunization and Immunization, we have the ability and the will to tackle this important age group.
“Teenagers in their late teens are some of the most socially active members of society, so if we can cut that transmission off, it can only be a good thing.”
The Pfizer jab was used on 12 to 15 year olds in the United States after scientists discovered it was 100% effective in this age group.
However, UK ministers are said to be keen to see real safety data and more information on the testing before making their decision.
There were concerns that many young people would refuse the vaccine, with the World Health Organization revealing that experts were “really concerned” about the prospect in November 2020.
But new data suggests there is great enthusiasm among young people to get vaccinated and get back to normal.
New data shows more than a million vaccine appointments have been booked within two days after the NHS started offering COVID-19 injections to everyone over 18 in England – an average of over 21,000 per hour, or six per second.
These numbers are likely higher because they do not include bookings at local immunization services run by general practitioners or people receiving the vaccine at walk-in centers.
Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok and Reddit have joined a new campaign encouraging more young people to jab on social media.
Thousands of people lined up in London to receive their first dose on Sunday – undeterred by the anti-vaccine protests outside.
Dr Susan Hopkins of Public Health England said yesterday she hopes to see 70% of adults be fully vaccinated by July 19 – in time for the planned relaxation of all rules on social contact.
However, the health expert said she did not exclude more locks see you next winter.
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