HUNDREDS of families of vulnerable children in Swindon face uncertainty as none of the approved vaccines have been tested for use on under-16s.

It is not clear how these children will be protected from the deadly virus without an available jab.

NHS Digital data shows that there are 205 children in Swindon on the shielded patient list, which includes people who have been identified as being most at risk of complications from coronavirus.

It has been compiled using a clinical algorithm and GP referrals.

The government says that children and young people have a very low risk of contracting severe or deadly Covid-19 compared to adults, but there is an increased risk of exposure to infection and outbreaks in institutional settings.

The Green Book, which has the latest information on vaccines in the UK, says: “Vaccination may be considered for children with serious neuro-disabilities (including cerebral palsy, severe autism and Down’s syndrome) who spend regular time in specialised residential care settings for children with complex needs.

“As older children have higher risk of acquiring and becoming sick from infection and there are some safety data on the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine in children aged 12 years and older, vaccination of older children in these settings should be considered.”

Across England, 56,140 people aged under 18 are currently shielding.

The Department of Health and Social Care declined to respond to specific questions about the vaccination options for families of younger, clinically vulnerable patients.

A spokesman said very few children and young people were at risk of severe illness due to Covid and that doctors were reviewing those initially identified as clinically extremely vulnerable.

Of the 7,975 people on the shielded patient list in Swindon, the largest age group of 1,815 patients is people aged 70-79.

The Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health said it expects to see more safety data gathered from clinical trials to inform strategies for vaccinating under-16s.

A spokesman said: “This research is essential to ensure paediatricians are equipped to discuss immunisation with children, young people and parents and can address any questions they may have about the vaccine.

“Further data on the effect of vaccines on transmission of the virus is needed to shape strategies to cocoon those who cannot be vaccinated (due to immunosuppression or immunocompromise) by vaccinating close family and house contacts.”

Contact, a charity that supports families with disabled children, said it wanted greater clarity from the government.

Una Summerson, head of policy at the charity, said: “We would welcome information on the approach the government’s expert committee is taking to find an appropriate vaccine for children with long term and rare conditions.

“It might be that some of these children can’t have a vaccine and that’s why it’s so important that their parents are vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccinating their parents will help protect clinically vulnerable children.

“The parents we support are worried about two things – getting the virus and not being able to look after their child, and passing the virus on to their medically vulnerable children.

“We know that people with underlying health conditions and learning disabilities are much more likely to die of Covid-19, so there is understandable fear and anxiety."