Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Public Health England document entitled Easy-read consent form for children, young people or parents and carers, for what reason that document does not mention more serious side effects of covid-19 vaccines, including myocarditis and pericarditis.

Public Health England’s COVID-19 vaccination consent form for children and young people or parents and carers is part of a suite of materials designed to assist an individual in making their decision about acceptance of vaccination. It is intended that this should be completed once an individual has been supplied with the easy-read information leaflet on COVID-19 vaccination in children and young people, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-easy-read-resources-for-children-and-young-people/covid-19-vaccination-an-easy-read-guide-for-at-risk-children-and-young-people-aged-12-to-15-years

This contains the necessary information about potential side effects of COVID-19 vaccination, including myocarditis and pericarditis. These side effects are described in the patient information leaflet as ‘problems with their heart’; ‘pain in their chest’; and ‘breathing problems’.