Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what role paediatricians will have in identifying children eligible for the covid-19 vaccine.

On 19 July 2021, the Government accepted the final advice of the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to offer vaccination to children and young people aged 12 years old and over with specific underlying health conditions that put them at risk of serious outcomes from COVID-19.

The National Health Service are asking local systems to have plans in place to invite eligible children for a first dose as soon as possible, with the second dose offered eight weeks later. Operational guidance will be issued to the service, including paediatricians. We are ensuring a robust process is in place for the identification and invitation of all eligible children and young people. Public Health England are currently updating the Green Book for public health professionals, including paediatricians, to reflect the updated at-risk groups who should receive vaccination.