Vaccine will be offered to those with health conditions

Carers and care charities have welcomed the announcement  that vulnerable children aged 12 and over will be offered the Covid-19 vaccine.

The Scottish Government has confirmed that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has published new advice on vaccinating people under 18 years old and that Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith announced work was under way to deliver the jabs.

Dr Smith said it was “crucial” that they took up the offer.

Kids aged 12 to 15 years old with certain underlying health conditions that put them at risk of serious coronavirus infections will be offered the vaccine in coming weeks.

Children age 12 and over who live with immunosuppressed people will also be invited to get the jab.

The JCVI is not currently advising routine vaccination of children outside of these groups, “based on the current evidence”.

Under current advice, young people with higher risk underlying conditions aged 16 to 17 should have already been offered vaccination.

Dr Smith said that 17-year-olds who turn 18 by July 18 are already being vaccinated, with invites being rolled out to those who celebrate their birthdays in the next three months.

Amanda Rae who founded cancer charity Kids Kick Cancer said it was welcome news for young people and their parents.

“Parents and children have been worried since the pandemic started that covid could create serious health problems on top of existing ones for those with underlying conditions,” she said.

“Some parents have been too scared to go outdoors through the duration of the pandemic with children who are either immune-suppressed or have conditions that just couldn’t cope with covid.

“Vaccination offers reassurance and enables many to get back to a near-normal life.”