Covid jabs will be given to vulnerable BABIES: Health chiefs recommend two Pfizer doses

Babies with underlying conditions will be offered a Covid vaccine, UK health chiefs confirmed today.

Youngsters aged six months to four years will be eligible for two doses of the Pfizer vaccine if they are in a clinical risk group that makes them vulnerable to the virus.

Children with poorly controlled asthma and chronic conditions affecting the heart, kidneys, liver or digestive system are included in the group.

While the vast majority of under-fours only develop mild symptoms, this cohort may develop more serious illness, so jabs are the ‘best way to increase their protection’, according to the Government’s vaccine taskforce, which issued the advice. 

NHS England has confirmed it will begin offering jabs to those eligible in England from mid-June. Parents should wait to be contacted before coming forward, it said.

Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency suggests that 51 under-fours have died withing four weeks of a positive Covid test since the pandemic began

Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) suggests that 51 under-fours have died withing four weeks of a positive Covid test since the pandemic began.

Professor Wei Shen Lim, chair of the JCVI’s COVID-19 Committee, said: ‘For the vast majority of infants and children, COVID-19 causes only mild symptoms, or sometimes no symptoms. 

‘However, for a small group of children with pre-existing health conditions it can lead to more serious illness, and for them, vaccination is the best way to increase their protection.’

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, said: ‘COVID-19 is still in circulation, with thousands of new cases reported every week. 

‘The extra protection offered by the vaccine could be important for young children in clinical risk groups, who are at greater risk of severe illness. 

‘The virus is not going away so I would encourage all parents to bring their child forward if they are eligible. 

‘Parents should wait to be contacted by their local health professionals.’