Vaccine teams 'making preparations' for 12 to 15-year-olds

Operational preparations are being made to vaccinate children aged between 12 and 15 should it be advised by experts, Humza Yousaf has said.

Scotland’s health secretary said the Scottish Government is “eagerly awaiting” further advice from the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) regarding the issue.

The JCVI is an independent expert committee which advises health departments in the UK on immunisation.

Their most recent advice came at the start of August when they recommended that all 16 and 17-year-olds should receive their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Vaccination for those in that age group began three days after the advice was published.

A lot of (understandable) questions about blanket vaccination for 12-15yr olds. Govt eagerly awaiting further JCVI advice – important we continue to take expert advice. Vaccine team is actively making operational preparations should go-ahead be given to vaccinate that age cohort.
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) August 31, 2021

On Twitter, Yousaf explained that preparations have been made by vaccinators should the JCVI update the advice to extend the vaccine to 12 to 15-year-olds.

“A lot of (understandable) questions about blanket vaccination for 12-15yr olds,” he said.

“Govt eagerly awaiting further JCVI advice – important we continue to take expert advice.

“Vaccine team is actively making operational preparations should go-ahead be given to vaccinate that age cohort.”