Pfizer jab for 12-15-year-olds approved in the UK

The UK’s medicines regulator has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the decision followed a “rigorous review” of safety and effectiveness in that age group – and that the benefits of having the COVID jab outweighed the risks.

Dr June Raine, MHRA chief executive, said: “We have in place a comprehensive safety surveillance strategy for monitoring the safety of all UK-approved COVID-19 vaccines and this surveillance will include the 12- to 15-year age group.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the next step was for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to advise whether routine vaccination should be offered to those aged 12 to 17.

“We will be guided by the expert advisors and will update in due course.”

The Pfizer/BioNTech jab was approved for use in the UK for 16 and 17 year olds in December 2020.