Kids as young as five set to be offered Covid jabs within months under secret NHS plans

KIDS as young as five are set to be offered Covid jabs within months under secret NHS plans.

Leaked proposals show health bosses are preparing to vaccinate children aged between five and 11 next spring.

Officials fear Covid will continue to rage until 2024 — making it necessary to immunise younger Brits.

The US has already begun vaccinating kids as young as five, with Israel set to follow suit within days.

Health bosses have been sworn to secrecy about the spring campaign, with officials concerned the move could spark a backlash from some parents.

Before the rollout can go ahead, UK regulators must still green light it for use in under-12s.

And experts on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation must also approve use in those aged five to 11.

Under the latest “planning scenario”, NHS chiefs predict a regular Covid booster programme will also be needed to protect vulnerable Brits. It forecasts that outbreaks of the virus will continue to 2023/24.

A senior source revealed: “Top secret plans reveal what is at stake if we are to achieve a meaningful victory over Covid. Asking parents for permission to jab kids as young as five is in the schedule.

“It is controversial, but will help us reach our goal.

“Nothing is in the public domain yet, and the plans could change, but jabbing young children is backed by many scientists.” Although youngsters are at much lower risk of falling ill from Covid, they can still spread the virus to vulnerable adults.

Currently, only over-12s are offered jabs in the UK.

Pfizer is seeking agreement for use of its Covid jab in five to 11-year-olds from European regulators.

Approval is expected soon, which could lead to it being fast-tracked for use by the UK regulators.

Office for National Statistics data indicates most parents would be likely to accept a jab for their child.

A NHS spokesperson said: “The NHS regularly plans for how it would operationalise opening vaccines to more people so it is ready to extend the jab quickly when any decision is recommended by the JCVI.”