Children Under Five in England to be Offered Covid-19 Vaccine

(MENAFN) Health authorities in England have announced that babies aged over six months and children under five will be offered the Covid-19 vaccine for the first time. According to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), clinically vulnerable children aged six months to four years should be offered the shot. Although children are usually at a low risk of becoming severely ill from coronavirus, those who have underlying medical conditions are seven times more likely to be admitted to paediatric intensive care units.

Prof Wei Shen Lim, chairman of the JCVI's Covid-19 committee, stated that "For the vast majority of infants and children, Covid-19 causes only mild symptoms, or sometimes no symptoms. However, for a small group of children with pre-existing health conditions it can lead to more serious illness and, for them, vaccination is the best way to increase their protection." He added that the decision was made after a careful review of the latest available evidence, including data on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in younger children.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, emphasized that the virus is still in circulation, with thousands of new cases reported every week, and encouraged all parents to bring their child forward if they are eligible. The extra protection offered by the vaccine could be important for young children in clinical risk groups who are at greater risk of severe illness. However, parents should wait to be contacted by their local health professionals before booking an appointment for their child's vaccination.

The announcement has been welcomed by healthcare professionals, with paediatricians and child health experts calling it a "critical step" in protecting children's health. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) stated that the vaccine is "safe and effective" and has been administered to millions of children worldwide. They added that the vaccine will help reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization, and could also help prevent the spread of the virus in the wider community.

In conclusion, the decision to offer the Covid-19 vaccine to children under five in England is a significant development in the fight against the pandemic. While children are usually at a low risk of becoming severely ill from coronavirus, those with underlying medical conditions are at greater risk of severe illness and hospitalization. The vaccine will provide an extra layer of protection for these vulnerable children and help prevent the spread of the virus in the wider community. Parents of eligible children are encouraged to wait for further guidance from their local health professionals before booking an appointment for vaccination.

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