As the Chief Medical Officer has said, the COVID-19 Delta variant is highly infectious and very common, so the great majority of people who are unvaccinated will catch COVID-19. The likelihood of children becoming severely ill if they catch COVID-19 is thankfully very low, but there is still some risk. I am glad, therefore, that time has been taken to assess this decision carefully and thoroughly.
Earlier this year, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the COVID-19 vaccines supplied by Pfizer and Moderna for 12- to 17-year-olds. It confirmed that both vaccines are safe and effective for this age group. The MHRA is one of the best medical regulators in the world and I can reassure you that authorisation would not be approved unless the expected standards of safety, quality and effectiveness have been met.
While the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) assessed that the health benefits from vaccination are marginally greater than the potential known harms, the margin of benefit was considered too small to support universal vaccination on this basis alone. That is why additional advice was sought and the UK’s Chief Medical Officers considered the matter from a broader perspective.
In their view, the likely advantages of reducing educational disruption and the consequent reduction in public health harm from that disruption - including mental health - on balance provide sufficient benefit in addition to those identified by the JCVI. The CMOs therefore recommend extending the offer of universal vaccination, with a first dose of Pfizer, to all 12- to 15-year olds and the Government has accepted this advice.
Vaccination will be delivered in schools, supported by GPs and community pharmacies. Parental, guardian or carer consent will be sought prior to vaccination, in line with existing programmes. It is important that children can understand the risks and benefits of vaccination for themselves, so I am pleased that information will be provided in a way that is accessible to children and young people as well as to their parents.
At every point in the vaccination programme, decisions have been guided by the best clinical advice. This decision is no different. I hope all those aged 12 to 15 will accept this offer of vaccination.