Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid has accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to offer coronavirus vaccination to those aged 16 and 17.

Speaking to the House of Commons, Javid said that he has asked the NHS to prepare to vaccinate those eligible as soon as possible, whilst also confirming that the JCVI have not recommended vaccinating under-16s without underlying health conditions but will keep its position under review based on the latest data.

He said: “Covid-19 vaccines have saved more than 60,000 lives and prevented 22 million infections in England alone. They are building a wall of defence against the virus and are the best way to protect people from serious illness. I encourage everyone who is eligible to come forward for both their jabs as quickly as possible.”