The COVID Vaccine to be Accessible to Young People Between the Ages of 16 and 17

British experts recommend that all 16- and 17-year-olds be offered a COVID vaccine.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization did not make a decision last month, saying it was still weighing the benefits and risks.

Roughly 1.4 million teens will be included in the new release, but it’s unclear when the jabs will begin.

They are now only available to age 12 and older who have underlying conditions or live with other high-risk people.

But some countries, including the United States, Canada, and France, routinely vaccinate people aged 12 and older.

Whitehall sources said UK ministers are expected to accept the JCVI’s advice following an announcement on Wednesday.

It was earlier announced that minors under 18 would be eligible if they had certain health conditions, lived with someone with a weak immune system, or were close to turning 18.

But there have been controversies after it emerged that GPs were urged not to invite clinically vulnerable 12- to 15-year-olds for vaccinations due to uncertainty about insurance.