Information regarding the offer of a COVID-19 vaccine to children.
Details
31 March 2022
Dear
ATISN 16167 – Vaccination of under 15s
Thank you for your request to the Welsh Government for information under the Freedom of Information Act (2000) received on 15 March 2022. You refer to the letter that was sent to the parents of children in Wales from the Chief Medical Officer dated 14 March regarding the offer of a COVID-19 vaccine to children. I have interpreted your request as follows:
- Documents and any correspondence held by or originated by Welsh Government relating to the safety, quality and effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines in the 5-11 year old age group,
- Any analyses of, or information pertaining to risks and harms, durability of vaccine effects and potential for priming against future variants.
Our Response
1-2. The role of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is to advise all UK health departments on immunisations for the prevention of infections and/or disease following due consideration of the evidence on the burden of disease, on vaccine safety and efficacy and on the impact of immunisation strategies. The Committee’s recommendation to offer all 5-11 year olds a covid-19 vaccination was published on 16th February 2022. The considerations around vaccine safety and effectiveness in this age group were published with their advice and can be accessed here:
JCVI statement on vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 years old - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The Welsh Government, alongside the other UK nations, accepted this advice and the roll out of the vaccination for 5-11 year olds who are at clinical risk if they Contract Covid-19 started in January 2022 and in March 2022 this was extended to all 5-11 year olds.
The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK. All work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
Next Steps
If you are dissatisfied with the Welsh Government’s handling of your request, you can ask for an internal review within 40 working days of the date of this response. Requests for an internal review should be addressed to the Welsh Government’s Freedom of Information Officer at:
Information Rights Unit,
Welsh Government,
Cathays Park,
Cardiff,
CF10 3NQ
or Email: Freedom.ofinformation@gov.wales
Please remember to quote the ATISN reference number above.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner’s Office,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire,
SK9 5AF
However, please note that the Commissioner will not normally investigate a complaint until it has been through our own internal review process.
Yours sincerely