Everyone aged 5 and over with DMD eligible for COVID vaccination
The JCVI has confirmed that people aged 5 and over with muscular dystrophy, or who receive high to moderate doses of corticosteroids, are eligible for vaccination against COVID. This includes children aged 5 and over whom they live with.
The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is an independent body of experts, which advises the health departments of the UK and devolved administrations on all immunisation programmes. Their latest recommendation for COVID is that:
- everyone aged 16 and over should be offered two jabs and a booster
- everyone aged 12-15-years old should be offered two jabs, and a booster if they're in a risk group
- 5 to 11-year-olds in recognised risk groups should be offered two jabs
- everyone aged 5 or over who lives with a person of any age in a risk group should be offered two jabs
People in risk groups include those with neuromuscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy, and those treated with or likely to be treated with high or moderate dose corticosteroids. The definition can be found in Table 4 of the JCVI’s chapter on COVID.
Some extremely vulnerable people aged 5 and over may also be eligible for a third primary dose, and the rules on who can receive a third dose can be found in Boxes 1 and 2 in the same document.
When and where can my child get the vaccine?
Children aged 12 and over can use the national booking system, visit a walk-in centre which accepts 12 to 15-year-olds (check here), or by contacting your local GP for an appointment.
Children aged 5-11 cannot currently book an appointment through the national booking system or use walk-in centres. This is planned to change imminently, but in the meantime, you should contact your local GP to ensure they know your child is eligible for vaccination.
Some parts of the country will start dosing 5-11-year-olds this month (January 2022), but this rollout will differ between regions as well as between the four health services of the UK. However, all four health services follow JCVI guidance and therefore will eventually make the vaccine available to 5-11-year-olds under JCVI criteria.
For information on a specific health service, please see below:
- NHS England (not yet updated, please refer to this NHSE letter to GPs)
- Public Health Wales
- NHS Inform (Scotland)
- nidirect (Northern Ireland)