Children aged 12 to 15 will be offered a single dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, UK government have confirmed.

This comes after four of the country's chief medical officers (CMOs) announced that one dose of the Pfizer vaccine could reduce the disruption to schools enough to be clinically justified.

Children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be invited for their vaccine soon and the roll-out will be administered by in-school vaccination programmes. Scotland have not yet made a decision.

The CMOs recommendation was made via a letter to the Health Secretary yesterday, it also stated that a second dose could also be given if evidence suggests it is a good idea.

So far the UK's vaccination programme for this age group has been limited to those with health problems.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) ruled earlier this month that while the health gains from vaccinating the entire age group were greater than the risks, “the margin of benefit is considered too small” to support it.

JCVI then advised the four chief medical officers to examine the issue further and consider other factors that were outside of its remit, such as school disruption.

The four CMOs have since consulted several professional medical bodies, as well as public health leaders.

Officials have stressed that 12 to 15 year olds will only be offered the jab and are under no obligation.

The letter warned that children missing in-person school had a "massive impact", both physically, emotional and in terms of their life chances.

Parents will be asked to give consent, but if a child and parent are of opposing views and the child is considered competent to decide the child will get the final say.

The one dose recommendation is related to the risk of a condition called myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle.

JCVI said there is still a risk after a single dose, but the risk increases after two with between 12 to 34 cases being seen for every one million second doses. Most of the vaccine benefits, which reduce the small risk of illness, are gained after one.

Teenagers aged 16 to 18 are currently being told to only get one dose as well.

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.