1/6 The JVCI has been excellent throughout the pandemic. It's statement on the pros/cons of children being vaccinated is no exception. Some highlights in a short thread below...2/ It's recommendation to hold off universal vax for kids is made in the context of all adults having already received or been offered vaccination. This seems to me an important starting point - we should not vaccinate children to protect those who won't protect themselves3/ It's overall judgment balances risk and benefit. It recommends vulnerable children be offered jabs, plus those living with vulnerable adults (most often the child's parent or guardian)4/ Why does benefit not outweigh risk for ALL children? JVCI makes two important points. First, as those tracking yellow card data will know, there is an emerging heart inflammation issue with MRNA vaccines, esp impacting younger males...5/ Second, Covid itself causes similar issue in a non trivial number of young children. As JVCI points out there is a risk vax could aggravate, rather than improve...6/6 Delta likely pushes the herd immunity threshold into the high 90s. Some have been calling for children to be vaxed to achieve. The JVCI statement puts kid's interests first and urges caution. This seems right to me - especially while NPIs are available.7/ Apologies, JCVI not JVCI

1/6 The JVCI has been excellent throughout the pandemic. It's statement on the pros/cons of children being vaccinated is no exception. Some highlights in a short thread below... ... 2/ It's recommendation to hold off universal vax for kids is made in the context of all adults having already received or been offered vaccination. This seems to me an important starting point - we should not vaccinate children to protect those who won't protect themselves ... 3/ It's overall judgment balances risk and benefit. It recommends vulnerable children be offered jabs, plus those living with vulnerable adults (most often the child's parent or guardian) ... 4/ Why does benefit not outweigh risk for ALL children? JVCI makes two important points. First, as those tracking yellow card data will know, there is an emerging heart inflammation issue with MRNA vaccines, esp impacting younger males... ... 5/ Second, Covid itself causes similar issue in a non trivial number of young children. As JVCI points out there is a risk vax could aggravate, rather than improve... ... 6/6 Delta likely pushes the herd immunity threshold into the high 90s. Some have been calling for children to be vaxed to achieve. The JVCI statement puts kid's interests first and urges caution. This seems right to me - especially while NPIs are available. ... 7/ Apologies, JCVI not JVCI