The UK’s vaccine watchdog is ready to approve jabs for children as young as five as early as next week, The Independent understands, with a rollout expected in the new year.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) expects Britain’s medical regulator to give the green light to the jabs within days and “won’t hang around” in making a recommendation to ministers once it is concluded the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective to use in young children.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is said to be “moving at pace” with its assessment.
However, should the green light be given, it’s expected over five won’t start receiving the jab until the new year. The government has made clear that rolling out boosters and vaccinating the unprotected remains the priority – more so now with the threat posed by the omicron variant.
The Independent has been told that an announcement from the regulator’s review is now likely to be made next week.
One MHRA insider said the regulator was reluctant to commit to a date, but acknowledged that the rolling assessment had been accelerated.
Esta historia es de la edición December 04, 2021 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 04, 2021 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Patients at risk of assault in mixed-sex wards scandal
The use of mixed-sex wards has gone “through the roof” after the number of men and women being put in beds next to each other soared to nearly its highest level in a decade.
Tory plot to oust Sunak and install Mordaunt as new PM
Conservative rebels hatching a '100 days to save Britain' plan
In make-or-break week, PM isn't master of his own fate
It’s another case of one step forward, two steps back for Rishi Sunak.
Losing mayoral duo would 'set Tory vultures circling'
Rishi Sunak has been warned that losses in the Tees Valley and West Midlands mayoral elections would “set the vultures circling”, with restless Tory MPs agitating for a leadership challenge.
Legal migration to Britain a bigger scandal, Jenrick says
Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has called for a cap on net immigration, claiming a “far more restrictive system” is needed.
Will growing pressure cause Tories to cap net migration?
With a general election approaching and Rishi Sunak’s position looking increasingly perilous, pressure is growing on the prime minister to announce an overhaul of Britain’s immigration laws.
Ireland planning new law to send migrants back to UK
Irish premier Simon Harris has asked his justice minister to bring forward emergency legislation to allow Ireland to send asylum seekers back to the UK.
'I will find out who you are and rape and kill you'
Women gamers reveal extent of threats driving them offline
Wet weather could see cost of beer and biscuits spiral
The price of bread, beer and biscuits may rise this year as research suggests the unusually wet weather seen over autumn and winter could hit UK harvests by almost a fifth.
More human remains found after Salford torso discovery
Police have discovered more human remains in two locations after widening a murder investigation in a nature reserve in Salford following the discovery of a torso.
