All 5-11 Year Olds Offered Covid Vaccine

5 to 11-year-olds in Jersey will be offered two child doses of the coronavirus vaccine.

It was recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) last week.

There has to be at least 12 weeks between doses.

They'll be offered at Fort Regent so parents and carers can be with their children.

This follows the decision to offer the vaccine to vulnerable children in the same age bracket.

Dr. Ivan Muscat, the Deputy Medical Officer of Health, says the vaccine for children is very safe and effective.

"Doctors and scientists at the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have carefully considered the potential direct health impacts of vaccination as well as potential impacts on the overall well-being, including education, in this age group. They concluded that the vaccine should be offered universally to children who are aged 5 to 11 years old to increase their protection against COVID-19.

In the US there have been over 8 million doses given in 5 to 11-year-olds and no new safety concerns have been identified. Known side effects are reported less frequently in this age group compared to adolescents and young adults.

I would also like to remind parents and carers that it is vital to keep up to date with other important childhood vaccinations."

The latest government statistics say that 77% of Jersey's population have had a first dose of a Covid vaccine. 73% have had two and 56% have had three.

Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf says the government welcomes the JCVI advice.

"Our vaccination programme will work to offer to all children of this age group the vaccine during April so parents can, if they want, take up the offer to increase protection against potential future waves of COVID-19."

The JCVI has also recommended that a fourth vaccine dose be offered to people aged 75 and over and for another dose to be offered to over 12s with weakened immune systems.