THE DOCTOR leading Farnham’s Covid vaccination drive has strongly supported calls to offer jabs to all 12 to 15 year olds, as it was revealed this week the Frimley Health Integrated Care System (ICS) has the highest jab uptake in the country for the 16 to 17 age group.

More than two-thirds (67 per cent) of all 16 to 17 year olds across the Frimley Health area, including Farnham, have received at least one Covid vaccination.

This is still short of the UK target of 75 per cent – but places Frimley Health in the number one spot of all ICSs nationwide.

Last week, the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised against vaccinating healthy children aged 12 to 15 years amid concern over an extremely rare side effect of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that causes heart inflammation.

But the government believes there is a “strong case” for vaccinating younger age groups, and a final decision on whether or not to roll-out the Covid vaccine to 12 to 15 year olds is expected shortly.

Ahead of this decision, Downing Street Surgery GP, Dr Ed Wernick, has come out in support of the government – saying there is a “broader argument” for giving younger people the jab, beyond just its “marginal” health benefits.

Dr Wernick, himself a dad of three with two children in the 12 to 15 age group, said: “It’s also about herd immunity, reducing disruption in schools and future-proofing further variants.

“Risk from having the vaccine is very low, and if a child gets Covid, they’re still off school for days which is very disruptive and to those they pass it on to.

“I would say make it optional without excessive pressure, a sort of ‘opt in scenario’. But 12 to 15 year olds should certainly have the option.”