Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the Government's roadmap is out of covid-19 lockdown for clinically vulnerable children who have been advised to shield but have yet to receive a covid-19 vaccine.

Doctors have been reviewing all children and young people who were initially identified as clinically extremely vulnerable to confirm whether they are still thought to be at highest risk. In addition, for the vast majority of children and young people identified as clinically extremely vulnerable, a vaccination is not currently advised. However, for a very small number of children, the independent expert Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have advised that vaccination may be appropriate. If a vaccination has been deemed to be necessary they should receive an offer to be vaccinated as part of the JCVI’s priority group four.

Whilst shielding advice remains in place until 31 March, clinically extremely vulnerable children and young people are advised to follow the guidance available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Further information will be provided to all clinically extremely vulnerable people, including children and young people, outlining the guidance that they should follow beyond this date.