The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) yesterday approved the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds.
It was approved for over-15s in December last year and it will now be allowed to be given to anyone over the age of 12 because the benefits outweigh any risk .
Ministers have asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) whether to give the jab to teenagers the current rollout is set to stop at age 18 except for children with serious health conditions.
The JCVI which normally rules who should get a vaccine is expected to tell No10 that jabbing children is a political decision and will leave the ball in ministers court.
Health chiefs will open the jabs site at Eden Boys School, in Wolfenden Street, Halliwell, from tomorrow. Clinical commissioners say the centre will operate from 10am to 6pm each day during the half-term holidays until Sunday, June 6. The site will be used to administer first and second doses of both Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccines. People are being encouraged to come down to the new site this weekend, for their first dose or for their second dose, if their first was more than eight weeks ago. Dr Helen Wall, senior responsible officer for the vaccination programme in Bolton, said: We have been bowled over by the enthusiasm of people wanting to get their vaccination since the variant hit and we really want to encourage people in Bolton to now come forward.