Masked protesters confront security forces during clashes near the Lebanese parliament headquarters in the centre of the capital Beirut on August 4, 2021, on the first anniversary of the blast that ravaged the port and the city (AFP Photo)
The British government is accepting the advice of scientists to expand its coronavirus vaccination to ages 16 to 17.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid says in a tweet he'll accept the recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization for healthy youths ages 16-17 to be offered a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. He says he asked the National Health Service to prepare to vaccinate them ``as soon as possible.''
The government's deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam says the expanded rollout should begin within weeks. The JCVI didn't recommend vaccinating under-16s without underlying health conditions, saying it will continue to review its advice.
Other countries in Europe, including France and Germany, are offering vaccines for children aged 12 and older.
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