A Grantham area MP, who works as a GP, has expressed her discomfort concerning the vaccination of 12-15 year-olds, as announced by the government this week.

Dr Caroline Johnson (Con- Sleaford and North Hykeham) quizzed the vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi, before he become Education Secretary in this week's cabinet reshuffle.

The MP said in parliament: "I have given many vaccines in my time, including hundreds of covid vaccines more recently, but I am not comfortable with vaccinating teenagers to prevent educational disruption.

"Under the current rules, no child needs to isolate if they are a contact. They do so only if they are a positive case and, for them, the maximum is eight days of schooling—and that is only if they catch coronavirus during term time.

"Half of children have already had it and are very unlikely to get it again. Does the Minister therefore really believe that vaccinating 3 million children to prevent an average of four days or less off school is reasonable?"

The minister replied: "I am grateful for my hon. Friend's important question, and I thank her for the work she has done and continues to do on the vaccination programme.

"All I would say to her is that I think it is important that the Government accept the final decision—the unanimous decision—of the four chief medical officers for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and offer the vaccine.

"Of course, parental consent will be sought, but it is only right that we offer the one-dose vaccine to 12 to 15-year-olds as per the advice received today (Mon)."

One of the chief medical officers, Prof Chris Whitty, had explained their support for the vaccination of teenagers by saying this "will reduce education disruption."

The government announcement on Monday followed the Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisation saying this month that there would be insufficient health benefits to vaccinate healthy children.