Vaccinating children against Covid: You have your say on whether youngsters should be covered by programme

The question came after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said children could be vaccinated against Covid-19 as a way of preventing disruption to their education, with a decision expected in later in the summer.

The University of Oxford is running a clinical trial on children to test the safety and efficacy of its vaccine in younger ages, with initial results expected in the summer while Pfizer said trials of its vaccine in 12 to 15-years-old showed 100% efficacy and a strong immune response.

This is what Gazette readers had to say over the issue:

Caz Rae posted: “The decision should really be with the parents.

"Personally I feel that everyone should be vaccinated for whatever is going, measles, mumps rubella, tetanus, polio and flu, therefore protecting all and reducing the chances of catching any virus.

"However I do see that some have a genuine reasons for declining them.

"Free choice as ever is a corner stone to this country and god forbid it should ever changes.”

Mark Macpherson James said: “We should I feel tread cautiously when it comes to vaccinating children.

"If all those who are most at risk from Covid-19 are vaccinated, there may be no need to do it, unless we are concerned about new variants emerging in un-vaccinated children?”

Jenna Ballantine wrote: “No way. There is absolutely no need to vaccinate children.”

Fahren Stephanie Fairnington-Kelly asked: “If proved safe and effective why not?”

Tori Milward said: “Yes, I do think they should be vaccinated but let's do everyone else who are more vulnerable first.

"Children are least likely to get it but are super spreaders to the elderly etc.

"Get all those vaccinated first so they are protected.”

In response to a post stating that children pass on the virus and not all vulnerable people have been or can be vaccinated, Jenna Ballantine said: “So we should risk our children with a vaccine that’s long term effects aren’t known?

“The vaccine also doesn’t stop you carrying or passing on the virus.

"I can’t be vaccinated, I certainly wouldn’t expect people to vaccinate their children to protect me.”

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