The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) yesterday approved the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds.
It was approved for over-15s in December last year and it will now be allowed to be given to anyone over the age of 12 because the benefits outweigh any risk .
Ministers have asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) whether to give the jab to teenagers the current rollout is set to stop at age 18 except for children with serious health conditions.
The JCVI which normally rules who should get a vaccine is expected to tell No10 that jabbing children is a political decision and will leave the ball in ministers court.
There is an “ethical issue” about whether to vaccinate children in the UK against Covid-19 or donate jabs for vulnerable adults in lower- income countries, an expert advising the Government has said.
The Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine was approved for use in children aged 12 to 15 in the UK on Friday.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorised the use of the jab in the younger age group following a review of its safety, quality and effectiveness.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will now provide advice to the Government on this age group being vaccinated as part of the jabs rollout.