Experts set to delay Covid jab for teenagers

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View online September 01, 2021   1 / Jabs for teens 'being held back out of fear of disrupting boosters for elderly' The government's expert advisers on vaccination are resisting intense political pressure to give the go-ahead for Covid jabs for all Britain's teenagers because of fears it could disrupt the programme of boosters for vulnerable older people, The Independent has learnt. The development came amid ever lou5der demands to protect those aged 12 to 15, with headteachers' representatives calling for a decision "sooner rather than later" as schools return across England and Wales after the summer holidays. The MHRA medicines regulator has already cleared the Pfizer and Moderna jabs for those aged 12 and over on safety grounds, but the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has the responsibility to consider the wider question of how the rollout of vaccines will have the greatest positive impact across society as a whole.   2 / UK in talks with Taliban over safe passage for British nationals out of Afghanistan, No 10 says Meeting comes as Dominic Raab says number of British nationals in Afghanistan is in 'low hundreds'   3 / Raab rapped over 'distant' relationship with US as he prepares for grilling by MPs Defence secretary Ben Wallace hails 'Dunkirk by WhatsApp' effort to help left-behind Afghans   4 / Nearly one-third of tree species at risk of extinction Climate change is putting a number of tree species at risk   5 / Cholesterol-lowering drug to be offered to thousands on the NHS The treatment will be rolled out to those who have already suffered a heart attack or stroke The Big Question     What is Sharia law and what might it mean for Afghanistan? A Taliban spokesman recently sought to allay fears his group would once more impose oppressive authoritarian rule on Afghanistan by promising they will instead govern "within the framework of Islamic law", without going into precise details as to what that might mean in practice, particularly with regard to the hard-won rights of women.   The Sharia law to which he was alluding - a phrase too often the cause of confused right-wing alarm in the US and Europe - simply refers to the system that governs how Muslims conduct their lives on a daily basis in accordance with the lessons of the Quran, the Sunnah and the Hadith - their holy book and the deeds and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad.   Simply put, this amounts to the human interpretation of divine sources, with any moral conclusions reached constantly open to revision and dispute. It is not a concrete legal system as we understand it in the West, making a nonsense of fears about its "creeping" imposition.   "Sharia" translates from Arabic as "the clear, well-trodden path to water" and its precepts aim to advise adherents to the faith as to best practice on all manner of everyday concerns - from prayers, when to fast, how much money to donate to the poor and how to behave in business transactions - with the ultimate intention of pleasing Allah. Read the full story >   Watch/Caldor Fire: Wildfire approaches holiday rental property in terrifying video NUMBER OF THE DAY 7%  The East Midlands is projected to be the fastest-growing region in England, growing by 7.0% between mid-2018 and mid-2028 (ONS) QUOTE OF THE DAY "Neither threats of Covid-19 nor conflict will stop me from completing my education" – Student Afghan midwife 19-year-old Fariba Other stories you might like Councils 'scrambling' to meet needs of Afghans amid 'lack of clarity' from government Scottish government urged to expand four-day week trials Government rejects call from UK nations to keep 'vital' universal credit uplift If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters.     Join the conversation or follow us Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders.   If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please unsubscribe.   If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our privacy notice and cookie policy.