UK Covid live: ‘extra precautions’ may be needed in England after 19 July, warns PM
Latest updates: majority of parents back jabs for school-age children – ONS; PM suggests England may need further ‘precautions’ after 19 July
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The ONS survey (see 12.32pm) came as Prof Calum Semple, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, said that he thought there was not enough evidence yet to justify vaccinating children. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is considering this issue, and is due to make a recommendation within the next few weeks. My colleague Matthew Weaver has the full story here.
Related: Not enough evidence to back Covid jabs for children, says UK expert
An overwhelming majority of parents of school-age pupils say they favour giving their children a Covid vaccine if available, according to a national survey released this morning by the Office for National Statistics.
The survey of more than 4,400 parents in England with children under the age of 16 found that 88% said they would definitely or probably agree to vaccinate their child, with just 12% saying they would not favour vaccination.
Parents with children at secondary school were the most enthusiastic, with 53% saying they would definitely want vaccination and just 4% saying they definitely would not. Nearly 48% said they were “unsure but probably yes” to vaccination
Among the parents of primary school-age children, 43% were definitely in favour, while just 3% were “definitely” opposed.
In June the UK regulator approved the use of Pfizer’s Covid vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds, but a final decision is pending from the JCVI.
Read the original article at The Guardian