16 and 17 year-olds in Wales to receive Covid vaccine
The JVCI advice says the group should receive the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab
Last updated 4th Aug 2021
16 and 17 year-olds in Wales will now be offered the Pfizer Covid vaccinations.
Its after the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation updated their advice about vaccinating children and young people.
This is in addition to the existing offer of two doses of vaccine to 16-17 year olds who are in ‘at-risk’ groups.
17 year-olds here who are within three months of their 18th birthday are already being offered the jab in Wales ahead of starting new jobs, colleges or universities.
Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan issued a statement this afternoon, saying most younger teenagers and children will not yet be vaccinated, unless they are at risk, or live with someone who is at risk:
“The advice on 12-15 year olds has not changed and remains that persons aged 12-15 years with specific underlying health conditions that put them at risk of severe COVID-19, as set out in the Green Book, should be offered two doses of Pfizer vaccine with an interval of eight weeks between doses.
“Also, children and young people aged 12 years and over who are household contacts of persons who are immunosuppressed are now being offered the vaccine.
“In line with the other nations of the UK, the Welsh Government welcomes the latest JCVI advice and thank them for their expertise and considered judgement on such important issues."
Working with NHS
“We are now working with the NHS on the arrangements needed to offer the vaccination to all 16 and 17 year olds in line with the JCVI advice.”
Professor Wei Shen Lim, Covid-19 chair for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said in a statement:
"After carefully considering the latest data, we advise that healthy 16 to 17-year-olds are offered a first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
"Advice on when to offer the second vaccine dose will come later."
"good protection against severe illness"
"While Covid-19 is typically mild or asymptomatic in most young people, it can be very unpleasant for some and for this particular age group, we expect one dose of the vaccine to provide good protection against severe illness and hospitalisation."