Children aged 5 to 11 in Scotland to be offered Covid vaccines

Work is underway on the logistics of delivering the vaccines to children

Scotland is following Wales’ decision to offer Covid jabs to children aged between five and 11 (PA )

Scotland will follow Wales and offer Covid vaccines to children aged between five and 11.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon said discussions with health boards on how these vaccines will be delivered have already begun.

England is expected to make a similar announcement later on Wednesday following reports of wrangling within government.

Responding to media reports about the jab expansion, Ms Sturgeon said: “Although it isn’t yet published, I can confirm that the Scottish government has received advice from JCVI recommending that vaccination is offered to all 5-to-11-year-olds.

“We will accept this advice and work is now underway on the logistics of delivery. Parents/carers will receive further info asap.”

Wales announced on Wednesday that it will offer all 5-to-11-year-olds Covid vaccinations.

Welsh health minister Eluned Morgan said she was following a “yet to be published” recommendation from the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

The UK medicines regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), approved the Pfizer vaccine for use in children aged five to 11 last year.

After the announcement, the JCVI said the vaccine should be offered to at-risk children in this age group, and thousands have been vaccinated already.