Updated 3 February 2022
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) made the recommendation (22 December 2021) following what they call an analysis of clinical trial results and real-world international data. Children aged 5 to 11 who are in a clinical risk group, or who are a household contact of someone (of any age) who is immunosuppressed, should be offered a primary course of vaccination. We have been told that children aged 5 to 11 who have Down’s syndrome will be included in this group and we are awaiting published confirmation of this, and will share it as soon as we have the information. Primary course vaccination for these children should be with two 10-microgram doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine (a third of the adult dose), with an interval of eight weeks between the first and second doses. But a decision on vaccinating all five to 11-year-olds has not yet been made.
“The majority of children aged 5 to 11 are at very low risk of serious illness due to Covid-19. However, some 5 to 11-year-olds have underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk, and we advise these children to be vaccinated in the first instance. For children and young people who have completed a primary course of vaccination, a booster dose will provide added protection against the Omicron variant.” Professor Wei Shen Lim, Chair, COVID-19 immunisation, JCVI
The JVCI also recommended the normal booster dose should be offered to:
- Children aged aged 16 and 17
- Children aged 12 to 15 if they are in an at-risk group (which includes Down’s syndrome) or live with someone who is immunosuppressed
- Children aged 12 to 15 who have a severely weakened immune system, who should get four doses.
Background
- When formulating advice in relation to childhood immunisations, JCVI has consistently held that the main focus of its considerations should be the potential benefits and harms of vaccination to children and young people themselves.
- In a clinical trial of 2,268 children aged 5 to 11 years, randomised to receive two doses of 10 micrograms Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine or placebo, the vaccine was found to be acceptably safe and immunogenic.
- Initial safety data from programmatic use of Covid-19 vaccination in 5 to 11 year olds in the United States indicate no new or unexpected concerns. More data are expected to accrue over time as experience with vaccination of this age group of children increases internationally.
UPDATE: 6 January 2022
Our contacts at the Department of Health and Social Care have said their teams are currently working on the planned roll out and delivery of immunisations to children at higher risk of severe Covid-19. They say further guidance and advice will be made available to us as soon as they have it, and we will of course share this with you as soon as we know.
UPDATE ON VACCINATION PROCESS: 20 January 2022
How will people be contacted?
An invite letter will be sent via the child’s GP or local health system telling them how they can book. Booking logistics will be different for everyone as each general practice uses their own system. The national booking system adults use to book vaccinations will not work for children.
Where will the vaccination happen?
It is hoped most vaccines will happen at the child’s general practice but, hospitals and specialist practices may also be used. As some general practices may not be able to offer the vaccinations, it is also possible that community pharmacies and mass vaccination centres may offer some the vaccine. The NHS is keen to ensure reasonable adjustments be made at these places to make the experience as comfortable as possible. It’s possible some special school settings may also be able to offer the vaccine.
Consent from parents
Parents or guardians must provide consent for their children to have the vaccine.
Who can go with the child to get the vaccine?
The child will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult when they are vaccinated. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a parent or guardian, meaning some school settings may be possible.
What about vaccines for all 5 to 11 year olds?
There is still no advice from the JVCI about vaccinations for all 5 to 11 year olds.
UPDATE ON VACCINATION PROCESS: 03 February 2022
The NHS is the process of contacting all relevant families and arranging an appointment. These should be happening now and will be running over the coming few weeks, with the intention that all relevant children receive their vaccine by the end of February.
Original article published 22 December 2021