The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is set to announce a decision on whether to vaccinate children aged 5 to 11 as early as next week, The Independent understands, with a rollout expected in the new year.
One MHRA insider said the regulator was reluctant to commit to a date, but acknowledged that the rolling assessment had been accelerated.
It still remains unclear when the government and NHS would look to start jabbing young children, with focus currently fixed on the vaccination of adults and the rollout of booster shots.
Another source close to the review said it was “moving at pace”.
It comes as the acceleration of the booster jab rollout will begin no later than 13 December, NHS England said.
The health service said jabs would be open to book for all adults and delivered in descending age groups, though at-risk groups will get priority.
