Under secret NHS plans, Covid jabs will be given to children as young as 5 years old.
Health bosses have leaked plans to vaccine children between 5 and 11 years old next spring, according to reports.
1
Officials fear Covid will continue to rage until 2024 — making it necessary to immunise younger Brits.
The US started vaccinating children as young at five years old. Israel will follow the US’ lead within days.
Officials were concerned about the possibility of parents reacting to the announcement by Health Department bosses.
Before it can be rolled out, UK regulators must first approve its use in children under 12.
The use of vaccines and immunizations must be approved by experts from the Joint Committee on Vaccination & Immunisation for those between five and 11.
In the most recent “planning scenario”Chiefs of the NHS predict that a Covid booster programme will be required to protect vulnerable Brits. The NHS predicts that the virus will spread to more people in 2023/24.
A senior source revealed: “Top secret plans reveal what is at stake if we are to achieve a meaningful victory over Covid. It is possible to ask parents for permission before you nab children as young as five years old.
“It is controversial, but will help us reach our goal.
“Nothing is in the public domain yet, and the plans could change, but jabbing young children is backed by many scientists.”While Covid is less common in children, it can still be spread to adults.
The UK currently offers jabs to over-12s only.
Pfizer seeks European regulators’ agreement to use its Covid jab with children aged five to eleven years olds.
The approval is expected to occur soon. This could enable it to be quickly tracked for use by UK regulators.
Data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that most parents would agree to a jab for a child.
A spokesperson from the NHS stated: “The NHS regularly plans for how it would operationalise opening vaccines to more people so it is ready to extend the jab quickly when any decision is recommended by the JCVI.”