Rumination Syndrome – Dr Anthony Wiskin
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Today, April 7th, 2021, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has changed their clinical advice on Covid 19 vaccines for those aged under 30 years.
Adults aged 18 to 29 who do not have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk from Covid should be offered an alternative to the Astra Zeneca vaccine if one is available.
The MHRA advised that-
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is authorised for use in individuals aged 16 years and over, and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is authorised for individuals aged 18 years and over.
Also see that here that the RCPCH updated their advice on 29th March 2021, for paediatricians on children and young people and the COVID-19 vaccination programme https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/message-paediatricians-children-young-people-covid-19-vaccination-programme
This advice may be updated in light of the announcement today.
We are now in the first phase of the programme during which young people (aged 16 years and over) with specific clinical vulnerabilities will be offered vaccination.1 ( Based on JCVI advice, individuals aged 16–65 years in at-risk groups are eligible for immunisation in Phase 1 of the programme).
The Green Book says: “Children and young people have a very low risk of COVID-19, severe disease or death due to SARS-CoV-2 compared to adults and so COVID-19 vaccines are not routinely recommended for children and young people under 16 years of age. Children under 16 year of age, even if they are CEV, are at low risk of serious morbidity and mortality, and, given the absence of safety and efficacy data on the vaccine, are not recommended for vaccination.” 2
While this is the case, vaccinations should not be offered to children and young people who fall outside the categories advised by the JCVI and the Green Book.
The only other group identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and the Green Book3 that may be considered for the vaccine during phase 1 are:
Such vaccinations would be considered unlicensed use.4 Paediatricians should discuss the benefits and risks and limited safety data with children, young people and their parents/guardians. Any vaccination would need to be authorised by a prescriber (usually a doctor). We would expect that this discussion would take into account:
It is important to stress that at this time the JCVI consider that there are no data to support use of the vaccine in younger age groups or other clinical groups.
Sue Protheroe
BSPGHAN President April 7th 2021
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