The Aplastic Anaemia Trust welcomes the guidance given by JCVI, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation about COVID-19 vaccinations for children and young people who are immunocompromised. 

We understand that for people affected by aplastic anaemia, vaccinations can present a complex issue. Earlier this year, both JCVI and our clinical partners at King’s College Hospital in London confirmed that it was advisable that adults with aplastic anaemia received their COVID-19 vaccination when offered, as the benefits of being vaccinated outweigh the risks. However, the official guidance issued by JCVI only applied to adults – and Covid vaccinations were not routinely offered to children and young people. 

On 20th July 2021, JCVI issued new guidance recommending that the most vulnerable children, who are most likely to suffer severe complications from COVID-19 should be offered the vaccine. The guidance recommends that young people aged between 12 and 15 who are immunocompromised should be offered both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Young people aged between 16 and 17 who are immunocompromised are already covered by the existing guidance and should already have been invited to take part in the vaccination programme. 

Furthermore, the guidance also recommends that young people aged between 12 and 17 who live with someone who is immunocompromised should be offered a vaccination, to protect the vulnerable person in their household.  

We both welcome and support the guidance issued by JCVI and recommend that children and young people with aplastic anaemia, or those who live with someone with aplastic anaemia should receive their vaccination, subject to their individual medical history and circumstances. As always, we recommend that any specific vaccination enquiries should be discussed with your medical team, who will be expecting and ready to answer your questions.