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.
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/
๐จDame Kate Bingham๐จ
Dubbed the "hero in a pink jacket ๐"
On Evusheld:
"I felt very strongly [.]. We were following a very clear 2 tier strategy where the CV immunocompromised were being deprioritised [.] I felt that was *manifestly* wrong both ethically and morally [.]"
1/๐งต
The above video was taken out of sequence. The below should give more context...
KB "So actually, the first goal was around protecting the UK population."
CTI [Hugo Keith KC]
"Do you think you succeeded on securing or making available those monoclonal antibodies?"
KB "No!" 2/
Kate goes on to make the argument that by not protecting this population, we were also promoting viral mutation and the evolution of variants.