Question reference: S6W-00139
- Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 21 May 2021
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 1 June 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to COVID-19 vaccinations for under-18s ahead of the start of the 2021-22 university and college term.
Answer
All of our decision making in the approach to responding to Covid-19 is guided by the latest scientific evidence from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) , advice from Health Protection Scotland and our Chief Medical Officer. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) provides advice on immunisation to all UK Health Departments, including on the efficacy and safety of vaccines.
Current JCVI advice does not cover vaccination in those under 18 years old, so far only 16 and 17 years olds in groups 1 -9 are covered.
Clinical trials are currently underway for vaccination of children and young people.
We will continue to engage with vaccine developers, and the JCVI so that if trials are successful we are ready to vaccinate younger age groups, if that is what the clinical and scientific evidence supports.