Younger teenagers may still be offered the Covid vaccine in Wales, despite government medical advisers not recommending it.
Dr Frank Atherton, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, is speaking to his three counterparts in the other UK nations after ministers asked for a wider view. A decision is expected soon.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said:“The four Chief Medical officers are discussing this issue and a decision is expected at the earliest opportunity.”
Read more: Covid jab should not be given to all teens aged 12 to 15, says UK vaccines body the JCVI
Last week the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). which advises UK health departments on immunisation, said it did not recommend routine Covid jabs for 12 to 5 year-olds, although a number of other countries are well ahead in doing so. You can read more about that here
In a joint letter Wales’ Health Minister Eluned Morgan along with the health ministers for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have now asked the CMOs to look at a wider benefits and risks remit, to include the effect of any further disruption to education.
The Welsh Government confirmed last week that health authorities in Wales have plans in place to start the roll out of vaccines for all 12 to 15 year-olds here, if and when the JCVI approved.
But the JCVI later announced it was not recommending this group is vaccinated because on health issues alone the slight risk outweighed any benefit.
There are fears that the return to school and college will spark a rise in Covid cases, as has been seen in Scotland where term started several weeks ago. This in turn could lead to school closures or large numbers of pupils self isolating, it is feared.
The JCVI’s advice also went on to say governments may want to take further advice from CMOs, including the educational impacts, when looking again at vaccinating this group.
Many nations around the world, including France, Germany and the USA have already given the Covid vaccine to millions of 12 to 15 year-olds.
The National Education Union Cymru is among those calling for this group to be offered the vaccine to help keep schools open and people safe.
In its advice last week the JCVI said 12 to 15 year-olds are at such low risk from the virus that vaccination would offer only "marginal gain".
Children of this age are highly unlikely to get very ill from Covid but there is a slight risk of heart inflammation from the vaccine.
The committee added: "For the vast majority of children, SARS-CoV-2 infection is asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and will resolve without treatment. Of the very few children aged 12 to 15 years who require hospitalisation, the majority have underlying health conditions.
"There is evidence of an association between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and myocarditis. This is an extremely rare adverse event. The medium- to long-term effects are unknown and long-term follow-up is being conducted.
"Given the very low risk of serious COVID-19 disease in otherwise healthy 12 to 15 year olds, considerations on the potential harms and benefits of vaccination are very finely balanced and a precautionary approach was agreed."
Some experts have pointed out children are at greater risk of myocarditis if they contract Covid than if they get the jab.
With most schools in Wales and England back this week it could be several weeks before the full impact of greater mixing among pupils and staff is clear.
All 16 and 17-year-olds are being offered a first dose and it is intended that they will be offered a second dose.
Those aged 12 to 15 are eligible for two doses if they are at higher risk from underlying health conditions, or if they live with people at greater risk.
There is no vaccine currently approved for use in the under-12s in the UK.
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