Families in the UK are being left behind as other developed nations push ahead with vigorous child immunisation programmes.
America and many countries in Europe started vaccinating children from the age of 12 in June. They are increasingly saying that children must hold vaccine certificates to access cafés, restaurants and theatres.
For British children this is not an option because the vast majority are not allowed a jab until just before their 18th birthday. It means a gap is opening up that could disrupt the holidays of British families as travel restarts.
Malta insists anyone over the age of 12 who has not been fully vaccinated must quarantine for two weeks.
Italy from Friday will insist that everyone aged 12 and over has a green pass to visit swimming pools, museums and cinemas. The document will be required to eat inside a restaurant, but not outside.
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The pass, either digital or in the form of a paper certificate, is given to anyone who has received at least one vaccination, tested negative for Covid within the past 48 hours or can prove they have recovered from the disease within 180 days of their positive test.
France’s equivalent, the passe sanitaire, will be required for admission to restaurants — indoors and outside — art galleries, swimming pools and even campsites. The pass will be introduced on August 9 for adults and extended from September 30 to children aged 12 to 17.
Children are also affected by some of the schemes in 11 other European countries this summer.
In New York, Broadway theatres announced on Friday they will admit only audience members, including children down to the age of 12, who are wearing masks and have been double-vaccinated.
The UK joint committee on vaccination and immunisation last month advised ministers that Covid jabs for healthy people should start no earlier than age 17 years and 9 months. Children with certain health conditions, or who live with immunocompromised relatives, can be vaccinated from the age of 12.
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More than seven million children aged 12 to 17 in the US are now fully vaccinated and health authorities are considering extending eligibility down to the age of five.
Some New York venues, including the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall, will no longer allow children under 12 to attend performances because they have not been vaccinated.
