Teens aged 16 and 17 can get second Covid jab

TEENAGERS aged 16 and 17 will be offered a second Covid vaccine dose, drug regulators say.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Chief Executive Dr June Raine said it was safe for them to be double jabbed.

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The Joint The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that all 16 and 17 year olds receive their first dose of the Pfizer jab in August, and has since been looking at the evidence of safety for a second jab.

MHRA Chief Executive, Dr June Raine said: “We welcome today’s announcement by the JCVI, on the extension of the booster campaign to 40-49 year olds. 

“This further strengthens our ability to ensure people are protected against COVID-19 and saves lives.

“We also welcome the recommendation for 16-17 year-olds to come forward and have a second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

“People can be reassured that when we gave approval for the Pfizer vaccine for those 16 years and over in December 2020, we had thoroughly reviewed all the clinical trial data.”

It comes as the booster programme is rolled out to those in their 40s.