UK department of health says the date will give teenager change to build up immunity before school starts
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Scientists have said a vaccine-beating variant is a “realistic possibility” that could set the battle against the pandemic back a year or more amid calls for contingency plans to be revealed.
Recent papers produced by the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) have suggested that the arrival of a variant that evades vaccines is possible.
Related: New Covid variants ‘will set us back a year’, experts warn UK government
All 16- and 17-year-olds in England are to be offered a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by Monday 23 August, the Department of Health has announced today.
Health secretary Sajid Javid said the date would give the teenagers two weeks to build up immunity before school starts again in September.
It is brilliant to see tens of thousands of young people have already received their vaccine – thank you for helping to further build our wall of defence against Covid-19 across the country.
I have asked the NHS in England to ensure they offer a first dose of the vaccine to everyone aged 16 and 17 by next Monday 23 August, this will make sure everybody has the opportunity to get vital protection before returning to college or sixth form.
Young people have shown great enthusiasm to get their vaccines and this has allowed us to safely enjoy the things we have missed, such as going to the pub or seeing family and friends.
Thank you to the NHS and volunteers for your continued dedication to protect people from this virus. I urge everybody else to get their vaccines as soon as possible.
