UK kids aged 16 years and above do not need parental consent to get a vaccine
The British Government has announced that all 16 and 17-year-olds in England will be offered Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine or will else get a chance to book their vaccination slot by August 23, 2021.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care – Sajid Javid said that the Government wants to protect the children before they start their schools next month. A walk-in site finder is being launched online by NHS England to help people locate their nearest vaccine centre.
Taking it to twitter, Sajid Javid tweeted,
The vaccine is getting us closer to normal life and the rollout continues to make good progress.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) August 15, 2021
I have asked the NHS in England to offer the jab to all 16 and 17 year olds by next Monday – before school restarts.
Read my piece in the MOS below.https://t.co/8dfgWMiT4o
Young people in this age group were first offered a jab earlier this month. But unlike older age groups, no second dose is being scheduled. They will now get an opportunity to have their second dose of the vaccine. Invites are also being sent out in Wales, while in Northern Ireland, walk-in centres are now open to older teenagers. In Scotland, they can register their interest online.
Speaking on the occasion, Sajid Javid said, “Get your jabs as soon as you can so we can continue to safely live with this virus and enjoy our freedoms by giving yourself, your family and your community the protection they need.”
The Joint General Secretary of National Education Union – Kevin Courtney said, “With the autumn and winter terms coming up, the issue of crowded schools with no social distancing and inadequate ventilation remains a problem.”
The National Education Union said the vaccinations of 16 and 17-year-olds would help minimise disruption to education in the next academic year. It also said that additional safety measures would continue in schools.
Those aged 16 years of age and above do not need parental consent to get a vaccine as they are considered capable of making their own medical treatment decisions.
Those aged 12 to 15 years and are clinically vulnerable or live with others at increased risk of getting seriously ill will also get a chance to get vaccinated. Teenagers who are within three months of turning 18 can book an appointment online through the National Booking Service or calling 119.
As of now, more than one fourth of a million teenagers under 18 years of age in England have taken their first jab.
