Health Secretary Humza Yousaf (pictured) has thanked Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith and the other three UK Chief Medical Officers for their advice recommending the universal offer of vaccination to 12-15-year olds.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said:
“On 3 September, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that whilst there were individual health benefits to vaccinating 12 -15-year olds, these were too marginal to recommend universal vaccination of this group.
“However, the committee suggested governments might want to seek further input from CMOs on the wider public health impact vaccination could have.
“Myself and the three other health ministers therefore commissioned the UK CMOs to look into this and, after consideration with clinical and public health leaders from all four nations, they have agreed the additional likely benefits of reducing educational disruption, in addition to the benefits identified by the JCVI, provide sufficient extra advantage to justify the offer of vaccination to this group.
“Health ministers are now considering this advice and we will make a decision as soon as possible.
“In the meantime, I want to thank Dr Gregor Smith and the other three UK CMOs for their time and careful consideration of this issue.”
