September 14

England is set to start administering coronavirus vaccines to children aged 12 to 15.

The UK Chief Medical Officers said on Monday that children in this age group should be given one shot to prevent infections from spreading in winter and reduce education disruption.

British Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said in a statement on Monday that he has accepted the recommendation.

Children in England whose parents or guardians give consent will be given a dose of the Pfizer vaccine from next week at schools where the new term has begun.

The government says it has yet to decide whether a second shot will be necessary.

Earlier this month, Britain's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization said the vaccine should be given to 12- to 15-year-olds with underlying health conditions. The experts of the committee had said that they do not necessarily recommend vaccinating healthy children in this age group, in view of the marginal benefits and rare reports of heart inflammation as an adverse reaction.

NHK