Plan to jab children aged 5-11 delayed amid No 10 and JCVI impasse

It is understood the JCVI’s recommendation is to expand vaccinations to all younger children but via a ‘non-urgent’ offer to parents. Photograph: Robin van Lonkhuijsen/EPA

The announcement of a plan to expand Covid vaccinations to all children aged five to 11 has been delayed amid an apparent impasse between the government and its vaccinations watchdog.

While the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) made its decision more than a week ago, Downing Street is reviewing the verdict. A decision is now expected to be announced on 21 February, when Boris Johnson unveils the government’s long-term Covid plan.