14 September 2021
Dr Adrian James, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
“The pandemic and the social isolation it imposed on pupils has contributed to a sharp rise in child and adolescent mental health difficulties. Disruption to education has an enormous impact on children’s mental health and long-term outcomes, particularly for those most vulnerable.
“We welcome the decision to offer a COVID-19 vaccine to 12 to 15-year-olds – it can help reduce the risk of further disruption to their lives and their mental health.
“At the same time we should support parents and children, who might be feeling anxious about the vaccine, to make informed decisions about their health.”
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
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