Covid: When can teenagers get a second dose?

A second dose of the Pfizer vaccine will be offered to 16 and 17 year olds across the UK following updated recommendations from the UK Vaccines Committee.

All over 18s across the UK can get two doses of Covid vaccine, as can some vulnerable high-risk children over 12.

Healthy, low-risk children aged 12 to 15 were only offered a single dose – which was to be delayed until 12 weeks after contracting coronavirus.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) says a second dose is safe and effective for people aged 16 and 17 given 12 weeks after the first.

The JCVI has previously held back from recommending a second dose due to concerns about a very rare heart condition called myocarditis, which occurs in a small number of young people – particularly boys – after the second dose.

It says it is now reassured by evidence from other countries that a 12-week gap between doses would lower this already very small risk.

A decision on a second dose for 12-15 seconds has not yet been made but could come in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, all 12-17 year olds should wait 12 weeks after contracting Covid before having their first or second dose.

There is currently no vaccine approved for use in children under the age of 12 in the UK.

If you’re over 18 and want to book your first, second or booster dose, here’s how.

No. If you’re under 40 or pregnant, get Pfizer or Moderna.

Any woman who is pregnant (or planning to become pregnant) is recommended to have two doses of the vaccine. Hospital figures show that 98% of pregnant women admitted to ICU this year were unvaccinated.

Up to now, Pfizer has been offered to under 18s.

The vaccines are very effective in protecting people from becoming seriously ill or dying from Covid-19.

Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency suggests more than 90 per cent protection against hospitalization and death for all three vaccines.

The vaccines are less effective at preventing people from contracting the virus, developing mild symptoms, or passing it on – but they also reduce the risk of this happening.

If you’ve been bitten twice, you’re far less likely to become seriously ill or die from Covid.

Covid vaccines are not mandatory but everyone is urged to get pierced to protect themselves, their family, friends and society in general.

Children under the age of 16 do not need parental consent to be bitten as long as they are deemed to have “enough intelligence, competence and understanding to fully understand what is involved in their treatment.” This is referred to as the “Gillick Competency”.

Being fully vaccinated can make traveling to most other countries easier and in many cases means you don’t have to self-isolate when you return to the UK either.

However, note that anyone under the age of 16 is not entitled to their own digital NHS Covid passport, which is now widely accepted as proof of vaccination.

In addition, the single vaccination that most British teenagers have received to date is not recognized as a full vaccination by some countries (including France) and further testing may be required.

Before you travel, find out about the regulations for your travel destination on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

Most are mild, perfectly normal, and go away after a few days.

They occur because the body’s defenses are reacting to the vaccine and include:

A very small number of people have had a severe allergic reaction to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, so any allergies you have should be discussed before you get vaccinated.

There’s no evidence that you should avoid alcohol altogether, but drinking in large quantities can suppress your immune system.

Some women have experienced unusually heavy, painful, or prolonged periods after being stung.

This may be because the vaccine leads to increased activity in the immune system, which is also involved in the menstrual cycle.

However, there is no evidence that the vaccine affects pregnancy or fertility.

Pregnant women are encouraged to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their babies.

The corona virus can lead to serious illnesses in some women later in pregnancy and possibly to a slightly higher rate of stillbirths.

If you are planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding, government guidelines state that you can still get vaccinated.

A recent study suggests that vaccination may help improve long-standing Covid symptoms.

Researchers think the vaccine could hit the body’s reset button and help it recover.