Germany will start offering coronavirus jabs to children over the age of 12 from June 7, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday.
But she stressed that vaccination would not be compulsory and would have no bearing on whether children can attend school or go on holiday.
The European Medicines Agency is expected to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid jab for 12- to 15-year-olds on Friday. It is already authorised in the EU for those over 16.
“Children and young people aged 12 and over will have the chance to book a vaccine appointment from June 7,” Merkel said after talks with Germany´s regional leaders.
Those willing will be offered at least their first of two shots by the end of August, she added, roughly in time for the new school year.
“The main message to parents is: there will be no compulsory vaccinations,” Merkel told reporters.
Schools would not require pupils to be vaccinated, she said. “And it would be totally wrong to think you can only go on holiday with a vaccinated child.”
Inoculating children is seen as a key step towards achieving herd immunity in the fight against the pandemic.
Canada and the United States have already started vaccinating over-12s.
But experts have also expressed reservations, pointing out that children rarely suffer from severe Covid and that vaccine supply is still tight.
Merkel urged patience, saying not everyone would get an appointment for their child right away.
