Kids may only get ONE Covid jab due to very rare heart risk, experts claim

KIDS aged 12 to 15 may only get ONE Covid jab due to the very rare risk of a heart condition.

Studies have found a small link between the vaccines and inflammation of the heart, myocarditis.

 

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British teens may end up just having one Covid vaccine if approvedCredit: Alamy

But the risk is very small, with the majority of children who have had the jabs worldwide not suffering any major side-effects.

However, experts think one shot would be enough as it gives a higher level of protection against Covid to younger people.

SAGE members suggested it would provide plenty of protection against the virus, with one telling the i: “The data shows that while the risks are incredibly low, side effects like myocarditis and pericarditis occur after a second vaccination.

“It should also be remembered that there is no evidence that a child has died from either, and the very few that do suffer side effects appear to fully recover quickly.”

Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England is expected to confirm the final decision next week, The Times reports.

Experts have reportedly made the recommendation kids should have vaccines, due to the boost to mental health and social development that would come with being jabbed.

Ministers have then said the first cohort of younger teens would then be jabbed within five working days.

Professor Whitty is still finishing a review into the benefits of giving kids the life-saving vaccine.

It comes after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation passed up the responsibility for making the decision to the UK health chiefs.

They said while the benefits of getting the jab outweighed the risk, the margin was still too small for them to to be certain mass teenage vaccinations should happen.

But The Times reports discussions with experts and senior doctors concluded jabs should go ahead for teens.

They said they wanted kids to stop taking time off school for Covid scares, and to help them stop worrying about the virus.

It is also thought that learning to get on with peer groups and improve social skills was more important than the risk of jab side-effects.

It comes after The Sun revealed Boris Johnson will next week unveil a “toolbox” of contingency measures to see off a winter lockdown and keep Britain open.

Ministers will give the go-ahead to vaccine booster shots, Covid passports for clubs and stadiums and the biggest flu jab rollout in history to ease pressure on the NHS.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid says most 12 to 15-year-olds will be able to give own consent for Covid jabs if parents object

An advertising blitz will urge the most vulnerable to get a third Covid jab and a flu shot to try to stop hospitals being overwhelmed if cases keep rising.

The PM is privately vowing another lockdown is out of the question and has ordered the Government to do everything possible to avoid future restrictions.

He will stress it is time to “learn to live with Covid forever” but wants to see the hated Coronavirus Act 2020 renewed as a precaution.

The emergency powers within it expire at the end of this month, so the PM will force a vote on extending them for another six months.

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