Vaccines could be offered to 16 and 17-year-olds as JCVI guidance set to be updated 'in a day or so'

A member of the public receives the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the Turbine Hall at a temporary Covid-19 vaccine centre at the Tate Modern in central London (Photo: TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)

It’s expected that the Covid-19 vaccination programme will soon be updated to include offering jabs to 16 and 17 year olds.

Under existing guidance, some children aged 12 to 17 have been eligible for the jab if they have underlying health conditions, but the new advice is expected to roll out vaccinations for all 16 and 17 year olds.

This is everything you need to know.

When could 16 and 17 year olds be offered the vaccine?

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that she was “veering towards expecting” the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) would soon outline updated guidance for young people having the Covid-19 jab.

Speaking to MSPs on Tuesday (3 August), Sturgeon suggested that the decision could come within days.

She said: “We are waiting on JCVI advice. When I say “we”, I am obviously referring to the Scottish Government, but the UK, Welsh and Northern Irish Governments are in the same position.”

Sturgeon said that the four chief medical officers across the UK had written to the JCVI asking them to look again at vaccination advice for young people.

She said: “First, as a priority, I am particularly hopeful that we will see updated recommendations for 16 and 17 year olds.

“I am hoping for - possibly veering towards expecting - updated advice from the JCVI in the next day or so.”

What are the current rules regarding children and vaccines?

Currently, the JCVI advises that children “at increased risk of serious Covid-19 disease are offered the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine”.

This includes children aged 12 to 16 with severe neurodisabilities, Down’s syndrome, immunosuppression and multiple or severe disabilities.