JIA Covid vaccination update
Latest Information and Advice from UK Paediatric Rheumatologists and
Ophthalmologists for families re Covid 19 Vaccine 4/8/21
The available evidence still suggests that children and young people with rheumatological or inflammatory ophthalmic conditions are AT NO GREATER RISK from Covid 19 than children and young people without these conditions. This includes those on immunosuppressive medications. This advice has not changed.
Recently, the government announced that the Covid 19 vaccine will be offered to some 12-15 year olds including those with “immunosuppression”. As the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) have used a wide definition of “immunosuppression”, it means those 12-15 year olds in our community who are on immune suppressant medication will be eligible to receive the vaccine. We know that this will come as welcome news to some parents/carers who are keen for their children/young people to have access to the vaccine. The vaccine offered will be the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine. Having the vaccine will not be obligatory and it will be the choice of the child or young person and their parent/carer. We will bring you the JCVI list of medications that will classify as “immune suppressants” as soon as it is available.
If your child/young person is offered the vaccine, they are recommended to have it. Whenever the invitation comes, and whenever vaccination takes place (if you decide to go ahead), this process should not in any way delay the return to school. The roll out will take some time: GPs, vaccination centres and all those involved have to gather the correct information and put in place the necessary arrangements.
If your child/young person’s specialist team/s have advised that your child/young person is classed as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) due to individual circumstances, then you should continue to follow their specific advice for your child/young person.
You may have questions about the Covid 19 vaccine in relation to your child or young person and you may feel you need more information in order to make a decision. We plan to compile a list of FAQs and to bring you the answers as soon as they are available. Please contact us directly with any questions you may have and we will put them to the paediatric rheumatology/ophthalmology teams and publish the responses as soon as they are ready.
Please bear in mind that we need to be patient as the various government and clinical committees involved are working hard behind the scenes to ensure details for all specialty areas are carefully considered, not just paediatric rheumatology/ophthalmology. We will continue to provide you with the latest information as the situation develops so that you can make an informed decision.
16 and 17 year olds: Many 16 and 17 year olds with a paediatric rheumatological condition are already eligible for the Covid 19 vaccine and should already have received an invitation. If you wish to check whether your young person is eligible you can read more here: here. As you may have seen on the news today, advice for this age group may be updated and if/when this happens, we will update this page.
18 year olds: All individuals of 18 and over are already eligible to book their vaccination.