Vulnerable Scots children 12 and over to get Covid vaccine

Vulnerable children aged 12 and over in Scotland will be offered the Covid-19 vaccine, the Scottish Government has confirmed.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published new advice on vaccinating people under 18 years old on Monday and Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith announced work was under way to deliver the jabs.

Dr Smith said it was “crucial” that they took up the offer.

Kids aged 12 to 15 years old with certain underlying health conditions that put them at risk of serious coronavirus infections will be offered the vaccine in coming weeks.

Children age 12 and over who live with immunosuppressed people will also be invited to get the jab.

The JCVI is not currently advising routine vaccination of children outside of these groups, “based on the current evidence”.

Under current advice, young people with higher risk underlying conditions aged 16 to 17 should have already been offered vaccination.

Dr Smith said that 17-year-olds who turn 18 by July 18 are already being vaccinated, with invites being rolled out to those who celebrate their birthdays in the next three months.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is the only jab that has been authorised in the UK for those aged 12 or older.

Dr Smith said: “As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will continue to follow the expert advice from the JCVI.

“Work is under way to deliver this in the forthcoming weeks.

“The JCVI will continue to fully assess all available data as a priority and advice will be kept under active review. I know that the committee will give any additional update to advice as soon as the evidence supports this and, in the meantime, we will offer the vaccine to those children and young people currently recommended.

“We are already vaccinating young people who will turn 18 by July 31 and we will continue to roll-out invites for those who will turn 18-years-old within a three month window.

“It remains crucial that everyone who is offered a vaccination takes up the offer.”