The UK’s coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination program has made an impressive start, with around 30% of the population has given their first dose by the end of February. But while the program has been largely successful so far, challenges and questions remain, especially for the adolescent of the country.
England’s Health Service said it would develop its COVID-19 booster vaccination programme to involve 16- and 17-year-olds from Monday, January 17, 2022.
So far, booster jabs have been limited to 16- and 17-year-olds, who are most in jeopardy from the pandemic.
UK Health Minister Sajid Javid said in a statement, “More than four out of five adults in England have already been promoted, which has helped protect them from a serious illness.”
“We’re now expanding this program to 16- and 17-year-olds so they can boost their immunity so that they can keep themselves and their friends safe this winter.”
Since the vaccination program for the age group began in August, more than 889,700 juveniles have taken their first dosage, and more than 600,000 have taken their second dose.
Within age groups, the NHS is trying to ensure that all people – regardless of deprivation, geography, or ethnicity – get the vaccine equally. This is mandatory not only from an equity standpoint but also for practical reasons – until security becomes widespread, we are all at risk. However, despite this view, early data suggest that disparities are emerging.
The UK vaccination program has been immunized at a higher rate than almost any other country in the world. Any program launched at this scale and speed would be imperfect and not always fair. But, thanks to its rollout by a system – the NHS – with the principle of equity at its core, the programme’s drawbacks, when weighed against its successes (and failures of other countries), are relatively minor.
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