Children aged 5 to 11 in Scotland are the latest to be offered a Covid-19 vaccine, with ministers in England expected to announce their decision on this age group later today.
First minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland would follow Wales in accepting the recommendations from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which submitted its verdict to ministers more than a week ago.
England is expected to make a similar announcement later today, following reports of wrangling within the Westminster government. Northern Ireland is also due to set out its plan this afternoon.
Ms Sturgeon said: “I can confirm that ministers have considered this draft (JCVI) advice and are content to accept its recommendations.”
Covid vaccination to be offered to pupils aged 5-11
She added: “Throughout the pandemic, it has been our intention that we follow the clinical and scientific evidence available to us and I’d like to once again thank the JCVI for their hard work in scrutinising the science and providing clear guidance.”
Discussions with health boards on the best way of delivering vaccinations to five- to 11-year-olds have already begun, Ms Sturgeon said.
Yesterday, Welsh health minister Eluned Morgan said it was a “shame” and “perplexing” that the JCVI advice had not been published earlier, as she announced that jabs would be available in Wales.
The UK medicines regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), approved the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for use in children aged 5 to 11 last year.
After the announcement, the JCVI said the vaccine should be offered to at-risk children in this age group, and thousands have been vaccinated already.
The EIS, Scotland’s biggest union for teachers and lecturers, backed today’s announcement.
General secretary Larry Flanagan said, “The EIS welcomes the announcement that children in the 5-11 age group will be offered a Covid vaccine, subject to parental consent - although this is a decision that could have been made sooner.
“Case numbers in primary schools have been particularly high in recent months, with significant numbers of pupils missing school after testing positive. Rolling out the availability of vaccines to children in this age group will help to make our schools safer for pupils and staff.”
