๐งตA letter, signed by Prof Jennifer Harries OBE, has informed parents of Clinically Extremely Vulnerable children that they are not CEV anymore.
Even being identified as needing a vaccine isn't a reason to shield.
NB/ Many (12-15) have still not received a first dose yet. 1/
Seeking to reassure parents
"Recent clinical studies have shown that children & young people are at very low risk of serious illness if they catch the virus. We are pleased to let you know that your child is therefore no longer considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable" 2/
...before the big blow...
"It is important that your child continues to attend their school or other educational settings."
* With a caveat that actually maybe your child is still CEV and "will still have to isolate or reduce their social contact".
3/
Next they remind parents about vaccines, which too many approved 12-15yos still can't access, but state that
"being eligible for vaccination does not mean that the child is considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable."
4/
Parents "will be pleased to know" that their child is no longer CEV.
Their mental health is a priority. Returning them to schools without any mitigations and high prevelance of an airborne infection is, it would appear, the antidote.
5/
Mental health has regularly been a focus for the DfE:
For children missing school for a couple of weeks in termtime (when school holidays have never caused such issues).
For Vulnerable parents whose fears for life were dismissed as 'anxiety' to keep their children in school.
6/
Once again, mental health is the reason.
Prioritising an unassessed, presumed, mental health condition above a proven physical health condition * all of whom have been flagged by medical professionals as high risk, a concern.
We have safe remote learning alternatives.
7/
Having children attending school during Covid with a threat to life in the household is like living with a gun to your head. Playing Russian Roulette each day.
That is the known threat to mental health.
Why would parents choose to put their child in the firing line?
8/
We have remote learning. If there is *any perceived threat to live* we have an obligation to protect it. Education never previously came with such a threat.
Today @BBCMoreOrLess discussed pandemic impacts on Children & Young People:
"It turned out that they would be spared from the worst impacts of the disease."
The specific impacts on CV children, those in CV families or struggling with Long Covid were barely considered.
1/๐งต
Dr Munroe dismissed risks to children:
"Covid itself had a relatively small clinical impact on young people."
In reality, CEV children were told to shield due to their risks. Over 200 children have died, and with a different response those deaths may have been preventable.
2/
This was the only section in which @TimHarford did point to the direct harms:
"For a few young people, Covid WAS a very serious disease. Long Covid has also been a problem for some. And young people did die."
Unfortunately, it was immediately followed up with...
When the UK government rolled out the "Living with Covid" policy it simply scrapped protections and shifted to personal responsibility. For most, it meant "back to normal." For Clinically Vulnerable people, life became harder.
1/๐งต
The plan was based on a single assumption: that vaccines alone would be enough... vaccines due to be withdrawn this Autumn.
But for millions who are Clinically Vulnerable, vaccines werenโt a magic bullet. Protection wasnโt universal and some were left with little to none.
2/
๐Mask mandates ended
๐ฅFree tests were phased out
๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆSelf-isolation was no longer required
Covid was treated as a personal problem, not a public health issue. If you got sick, you were on your own.
3/
๐ CVF are relieved to announce that we will be representing you in the final section of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry looking at the ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฆ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฒ๐๐.
It will consider the effects on keyworkers, vulnerable populations, bereaved, & mental health.
1/12 *Stick with this*
Protective measures were often described as "restrictions" and the lifting of measures described as the return of "freedom".
2/
๐ Seatbelts were once seen as a "restriction" by some, but today with evidence & awareness, they are now considered essential for safety.
๐จ๐ท The Covid pandemic was a missed opportunity to normalise airborne protections that protect health and save lives.
"Would you support the development of a more diverse portfolio of vaccine formats and antivirals, both as part of future pandemic preparedness plans and during [.] 'peace time' to ensure that Clinically Vulnerable groups are adequately protected?"
1/
"Absolutely, I think it is really important to make sure that we have good therapeutics and vaccines for the whole population."
2/
Q - Why is it important to have that breadth of formats?
...not many [immunosuppressed] were involved in the initial trials.
We now know [.] that booster doses help in terms of vaccine efficacy.
Find out more about what led to his reaction below โฌ๏ธ
1/๐งต
Do you agree that mRNA COVID-19 vaccine protection has been shown to wane after 5-6m?
WSL: Yes
Covid-19 has not transitioned into a seasonal virus like influenza?
WSL: Yes
If so, why did the JCVI not recommend more frequent vaccinations for all clinically vulnerable groups?
2/
To explain:
"Clinically Vulnerable" is defined by the JCVI in the vaccine Green Book. They are all those who qualify for annual autumn vaccines based on risk.
A small subset are also offered vaccines in spring. Those 75+, care home residents and severely immunosuppressed. 3/