Children aged from 12 to 15 can now be vaccinated against Covid-19, the Ministry of Health confirmed.

The announcement was made this afternoon after a similar ruling by the UK health regulator.

Kim Wilson, the health minister, said: “I encourage parents that have children in this age group and have not registered them to be vaccinated to do so as soon as possible so that we can accommodate them before June 8.”

The vaccine was earlier only available to people aged 16 or over.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine in children aged 12 to 15 yesterday.

Ms Wilson said: “They have announced that it is safe and effective in this age group, and the benefits outweigh any risks.”

A health department spokeswoman said there were about 900 registered children in the age group.

Parents who have registered their children to be vaccinated will get an e-mail with an appointment at the Bermuda College vaccination centre, tomorrow between 10am and 6pm, or at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital vaccination centre tomorrow and Sunday between 8am and 8pm.

Anyone with any questions should contact vaccine@gov.bm or call the hotline on 444 2498.

The US Food and Drug Administration has also approved the use of the vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds.

But Bermuda had to put off a decision until the UK had given the green light.

Ms Wilson said last month the Government was in discussions with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to obtain clearance for Britain’s supply of the Pfizer vaccine to be given to children aged 12 to 15.

Ayo Oyinloye, the chief medical officer, said Bermuda was covered under the UK’s legal indemnity for administration of the jab to people aged 16 and up.

Dr Oyinloye added: “The indemnity is based on advice from the committee on vaccination and immunisation and the Medicines and Health Regulatory Authority.”

He said Bermuda would automatically get approval to extend its use to younger people once the UK Government cleared it.

Dy-Juan DeRoza, the national epidemiologist for the Ministry of Health, said only a handful of adolescents had tested positive for the virus this year,

Dr DeRoza added that there had been 67 cases recorded in the age group, but that many young carriers did not have symptoms.