Updated: 19 February 2024
Who will be offered COVID-19 vaccinations?
Since July 2021, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and the UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) have been advising on how the COVID-19 vaccination programme may be applied to children and young people. This advice covers primary doses and booster doses.
What is the advice on primary doses?
From the 30 June 2023, primary course COVID-19 vaccination became a targeted offer during seasonal campaigns to those at higher risk of severe COVID-19 only i.e. risk groups stated in the Green Book chapter and household contacts of someone who is immunosuppressed.
The exception to this are those aged 6 months and above who are severely immunosuppressed (as defined in Box 1 and Box 2 in the Green Book). They should be considered for immunisation regardless of the time of year.
The JCVI have also advised that the primary COVID-19 immunisation course for those aged 5 years and above who are not severely immunosuppressed should move to a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Those aged 6 months to 4 years will continue to have two doses and those who are severely immunosuppressed will continue to have an additional dose as advised in the Green Book chapter.
Below is the advised primary dosage schedule:
|6 months - 4 year olds at higher clinical risk*
|Two 3mcg doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, at least 3 months apart
|5-11 year olds at higher clinical risk*
|One 10mcg dose of Pfizer-BioNTech
|12-17 year olds at higher clinical risk*
|One 30mcg dose of Pfizer-BioNTech
|12-17 year olds who are household contacts of someone who is immunosuppressed
|One 30mcg doses of Pfizer-BioNTech
|16 years and over who are carers **
|One 30mcg doses of Pfizer-BioNTech
|6 months - 17 year olds who are severely immunosuppressed***
|See advice in the Green Book
|Note: The Green Book provides advice on dosing intervals following recent COVID-19 infection
* clinical risk as defined in Table 4 of the Green Book chapter on COVID-19
** as defined in Table 3 of the Green Book chapter on COVID-19
*** criteria listed in Box 1 and Box 2 in the Green Book chapter on COVID-19
What about booster doses for children and young people?
Spring Booster campaign 2024
On the 7 February 2024 JCVI published advice on the COVID-19 booster vaccination programme for Spring 2024. A booster dose will be offered to the group below:
- individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book).
It is recommended that there should be a minimum interval of 3 months between the booster dose and any previous doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
How will those who are eligible be able to get their vaccinations?
The four health services across the UK will provide details of how and when those who are eligible will be able to get their vaccinations.
The Governments and NHS vaccine programmes should provide clear and consistent information for children and young people, families and clinicians with regards to the vaccination programme.
In England further information has been published on nhs.uk.
Further details of the Welsh Government’s vaccination programme is available on the GOV.WALES website.
What information will be provided to children, young people and their families about this?
The JCVI and CMOs have noted that the risks and benefits around COVID-19 vaccination for children and young people are more finely balanced than for older age groups. Information provided should cover all the details needed to ensure informed consent can be given by the 12-17 year old. For those aged 6 months -11, a parent or carer will need to provide that informed consent
For those who are household contacts of a person who is immunosuppressed - vaccination should be offered on the understanding that the main benefits are related to the potential for indirect protection of that household contact.
Information about the vaccine, its safety and side effects has been published by the UK Health Security Agency.
What information will be available to support healthcare professionals?
The Green Book details the clinical criteria, the evidence base, potential safety and side effects, and recommended dosing intervals (which vary according to age, risk profile and time since a confirmed COVID-19 infection). This information should support clinicians discuss risks and benefits of vaccination with children, young people and their families.
Product information about individual vaccines is available from the MHRA. Three formulations of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine have been authorised for use: for 6 months - 4 year olds, for 5-11 year olds and an adult formulation for those aged 12 and over. The Moderna vaccine are authorised for use in 12-17 year olds. Other vaccines have yet to be authorised for under 18s in the UK.
Is the paediatric formulation available in the UK?
Yes, the paediatric formulation is available in the UK.
What’s the College’s view on myocarditis?
We don’t know the long-term issues from vaccination, but nor do we have a full understanding of the long-term issues from COVID-19. All suspected side effects to COVID-19 vaccines should be reported to the MHRA through the Yellow Card Scheme. The College looks to JCVI to review the evidence and data and provide advice on risk.
What about other routine childhood vaccinations?
JCVI has stressed the importance of ensuring that other routine immunisations for children and young people are maintained given the benefits they offer. National immunisation programmes are proven to be highly effective at preventing disease, reducing serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases such as meningitis and measles.
As we note in our position statement on vaccinations, paediatricians and child health professionals can support national vaccination programmes through their work by making every contact count. Some groups are at greater risk of low vaccine uptake, including children in large families, children in lone parent families, looked after children, children in mobile families including the travelling community, children in some ethnic minority groups, children with chronic conditions or disability. Children’s immunisation status should form part of any assessment. If vaccines are not up to date, the reason should be established. Parents may have delayed or refused vaccines for a variety of reasons and parents should be offered the opportunity to discuss their concerns.
Latest updates to this page
- Updates in this version (19 February 2024) updated information on Spring 2024 booster campaign
- Updates in this version (4 September) updated information from the Green Book on primary immunisation
- Updates in this version (8 August 2023) updated information on Autumn 2023 booster campaign. Removed outdated advice related to previous campaigns.
19 Februari: Nani atakayepokea chanjo ya COVID-19? Tangu Julai 2021, Kamati ya Pamoja ya Chanjo na Ulinzi (JCVI) na Maofisa Wakuu wa Matibabu wa Uingereza (CMO) wamekuwa wakitoa ushauri juu ya jinsi mpango wa chanjo ya COVID-19 unaweza kutumika kwa watoto na vijana. Ushauri huu unashughulikia dozi za msingi na dozi za kuimarisha. Ni nini ushauri juu ya dozi za msingi? Kuanzia Juni 30, 2023 chanjo ya msingi ya COVID-19 iligeuka kuwa ofa ya lengo wakati wa kampeni za msimu kwa wale walio katika hatari ya COVID-19 kali tu. "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika ""Green Book"" ya Utafiti wa Ugonjwa wa Ukimwi, watu wanaohusika na ugonjwa huo ni watu wa kawaida ambao wana uwezo wa kujihami na ugonjwa huo." Kwa wale wenye umri wa miezi 6 na zaidi, ambao ni immunosuppressed sana (kama ilivyoelezwa katika Box 1 na Box 2 katika Green Book). Wanapaswa kuzingatiwa kwa ajili ya chanjo bila kujali wakati wa mwaka. JCVI pia imependekeza kwamba kozi ya msingi ya chanjo ya COVID-19 kwa wale wenye umri wa miaka 5 na zaidi ambao hawana kinga kali ya kudhibitiwa inapaswa kuhamia kwa kipimo kimoja cha chanjo ya COVID-19. Wale wenye umri wa miezi sita hadi miaka minne wataendelea kupokea dozi mbili na wale walio na kinga ya chini sana wataendelea kupokea dozi ya ziada kama inavyoshauriwa katika sura ya Kitabu cha Kijani. "Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, ""Mwanamke mwenye umri wa miaka 12 hadi 17 ambaye ni mtu wa kawaida wa familia na ambaye ana hatari ya ugonjwa wa COVID-19"" ni ""mwanamke mwenye umri wa miaka 12 hadi 17 ambaye ana hatari ya ugonjwa wa COVID-19"" na ""mwanamke mwenye umri wa miaka 16 na zaidi ambaye ni mtoa huduma"" ni ""mwanamke mwenye umri wa miaka 16 hadi 17 ambaye ana hatari ya ugonjwa wa COVID-19"" na ""mwanamke mwenye umri wa miaka 16 hadi 17 ambaye ana hatari ya ugonjwa wa COVID-19"" ni ""mwanamke mwenye umri wa miaka 16 na zaidi"" na ""mwanamke mwenye umri wa miaka 17 na zaidi"" ni ""wanamke wenye hatari ya ugonjwa wa COVID-19.""" Katika kampeni ya booster ya spring ya 2024, JCVI ilitoa ushauri juu ya mpango wa chanjo ya COVID-19 kwa spring ya 2024. Kiwango cha booster kitapewa kwa kikundi cha chini: - watu wenye umri wa miezi 6 na zaidi ambao ni immunosuppressed (kama ilivyoelezwa katika meza 3 au 4 katika sura ya COVID-19 ya Kitabu cha Kijani). Inashauriwa kuwa kuna muda wa miezi mitatu kati ya kipimo cha booster na dozi yoyote ya chanjo ya COVID-19. Wale wanaostahili watawezaje kupata chanjo zao? Huduma nne za afya nchini Uingereza zitatoa maelezo ya jinsi na wakati wale wanaostahili wataweza kupata chanjo zao. Serikali na mipango ya chanjo ya NHS inapaswa kutoa habari wazi na thabiti kwa watoto na vijana, familia na madaktari kuhusiana na mpango wa chanjo. Katika Uingereza habari zaidi imechapishwa kwenye nhs.uk. Maelezo zaidi ya mpango wa chanjo ya Serikali ya Wales inapatikana kwenye tovuti ya GOV.WALES. Ni habari gani itakayotolewa kwa watoto, vijana na familia zao kuhusu hili? JCVI na CMO wamebainisha kuwa hatari na faida zinazohusiana na chanjo ya COVID-19 kwa watoto na vijana ni sawa zaidi kuliko kwa vikundi vya umri wa zamani. Taarifa zinazotolewa zinapaswa kufunika maelezo yote yanayohitajika kuhakikisha idhini ya kuarifiwa inaweza kutolewa na vijana wa miaka 12-17. Kwa wale wenye umri wa miezi 6 hadi 11, mzazi au mlinzi atahitaji kutoa idhini hiyo ya habari kwa wale ambao ni mawasiliano ya nyumbani ya mtu aliye na kinga iliyopunguzwa, chanjo inapaswa kutolewa kwa uelewa kwamba faida kuu zinahusiana na uwezekano wa ulinzi wa moja kwa moja wa mawasiliano ya nyumbani. Taarifa kuhusu chanjo hiyo, usalama wake na athari zake za upande zimechapishwa na Shirika la Usalama wa Afya la Uingereza. Ni habari gani itakayopatikana ili kusaidia wataalamu wa huduma za afya? Kitabu hicho kinaelezea vigezo vya kliniki, msingi wa ushahidi, usalama wa uwezekano na athari za upande, na vipindi vya kipimo vilivyopendekezwa (ambayo hutofautiana kulingana na umri, wasifu wa hatari na wakati tangu maambukizi ya COVID-19 yalithibitishwa). Taarifa hii inapaswa kusaidia madaktari kujadili hatari na faida za chanjo na watoto, vijana na familia zao. Habari za bidhaa kuhusu chanjo za mtu binafsi zinapatikana kutoka kwa MHRA. "Vaccin ya Pfizer BioNTech imepitishwa kwa aina tatu: ""kwa watoto wa miezi sita hadi miaka minne,"" ""kwa watoto wa miaka 5-11"" na ""kwa watu wazima"" wenye umri wa miaka 12 na zaidi." Moderna imetoa idhini ya kutumia chanjo hiyo kwa watoto wenye umri wa miaka 12 hadi 17. Chanjo nyingine bado hazijapewa idhini kwa watoto chini ya miaka 18 nchini Uingereza. Je, formula ya watoto inapatikana nchini Uingereza? Kwa kweli, formula ya watoto inapatikana nchini Uingereza. Ni nini maoni ya Chuo juu ya myocarditis? Hatujui masuala ya muda mrefu kutokana na chanjo, lakini pia hatuna uelewa kamili wa masuala ya muda mrefu kutokana na COVID-19. Matokeo yote ya upande ya chanjo ya COVID-19 yanapaswa kuripotiwa kwa MHRA kupitia Mpango wa Kadi ya Njano. Chuo hicho kinatafuta JCVI kukagua ushahidi na data na kutoa ushauri juu ya hatari. Namna gani chanjo nyingine za kawaida za utotoni? JCVI imesisitiza umuhimu wa kuhakikisha kwamba chanjo nyingine za kawaida kwa watoto na vijana zinahifadhiwa kwa sababu ya faida zinazotoa. Programu za kitaifa za chanjo zimethibitika kuwa na ufanisi mkubwa katika kuzuia magonjwa, kupunguza magonjwa mazito na wakati mwingine hatari kwa maisha kama vile meningitis na surua. Kama tulivyoona katika taarifa yetu ya msimamo juu ya chanjo, madaktari wa watoto na wataalamu wa afya ya watoto wanaweza kusaidia mipango ya chanjo ya kitaifa kupitia kazi yao kwa kufanya kila mawasiliano ya hesabu. Baadhi ya makundi ya watu wana hatari kubwa ya kupigwa chanjo, ikiwa ni pamoja na watoto katika familia kubwa, watoto katika familia za mzazi mmoja, watoto waliotunzwa, watoto katika familia za kusafiri, pamoja na jamii ya kusafiri, watoto katika makundi fulani ya kikabila, watoto wenye magonjwa ya muda mrefu au ulemavu. Hali ya chanjo ya watoto inapaswa kuwa sehemu ya tathmini yoyote. Ikiwa chanjo haziko kwa wakati, sababu inapaswa kuamuliwa. Wazazi wanaweza kuwa wamechelewesha au kukataa chanjo kwa sababu mbalimbali na wazazi wanapaswa kupewa fursa ya kujadili wasiwasi wao. "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika ukurasa wa mwisho wa ukurasa wa 204, ""Kupatikana kwa habari mpya kuhusu kampeni ya booster ya spring 2024"" na ""Kupatikana kwa habari mpya kuhusu kampeni ya booster ya vuli 2023"" ni pamoja na ""Kupatikana kwa habari mpya kuhusu kampeni ya booster ya vuli 2023.""" Kuondoa ushauri wa zamani kuhusiana na kampeni za awali.