British schoolgirl, 16, with rare blood disease becomes one of youngest people to get Covid vaccine

A British schoolgirl with a rare blood disease has become one of the youngest people to get a Covid vaccine.

Esther Rich, 16, was given the jab at Harrow East Primary Care Network’s vaccination centre this week after shielding throughout all of the three national lockdowns.

The teenager from Muswell Hill, London, and her father have hereditary spherocytosis – a red blood cell disorder – which makes them clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus.

After receiving her first dose of the vaccine, Esther now says she ‘can’t wait’ to go on holiday with her friends to Croatia and visit her grandmother.

It comes as estimates reveal that, at the current rate of immunisation, Britain is on course to vaccinate all over-50s against Covid-19 by April 7.

Esther Rich, 16, was given the jab at Harrow East Primary Care Network’s vaccination centre this week (pictured above) after shielding throughout all of the three national lockdowns

She told the BBC: ‘When I knew I was getting the vaccine I was really excited because by the end of lockdown I will have immunity and won’t have to shield any more.

‘I can’t wait to go on holiday – I want to go to Croatia with my friends in the summer. I also really want to see my cousins and my Grandma Jessica.’

Esther’s blood disorder led to her spleen – part of the immune system – being removed at the age of five, making her more susceptible to infections.

Hereditary spherocytosis causes the spleen to destroy red blood cells, which are vital for carrying oxygen around the body, rather than create them.

While most people with the disease have moderate symptoms and some, in mild cases, may even be unaware of their symptoms, in severe cases the organs can quickly become irreversibly damaged.

The World Health Organization (WHO) does not advise vaccinating those aged under 16, even if they are categorised in a high-risk group.

After receiving her first dose of the vaccine, Esther, from Muswell Hill, London, now says she ‘can’t wait’ to go on holiday with her friends to Croatia and visit her cousins and grandmother

Meanwhile, vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi, Chris Whitty and SAGE scientists have signaled that they want all over-50s to be offered an injection to keep hospitalisations low before society reopens.

The protection offered by one dose of the coronavirus vaccine takes two to three weeks to kick in, the latest evidence suggests, meaning the UK would be on track for measures to be lifted at the end of April at the current rate.

What is hereditary spherocytosis?

Hereditary spherocytosis is a rare red blood cell disorder.

It causes the spleen to destroy red blood cells, which are vital for carrying oxygen around the body, rather than create them.

Most people with the disease have moderate symptoms and some, in mild cases, may even be unaware of their symptoms.

In severe cases the organs, such as the spleen, can quickly become irreversibly damaged.

Referring to spleen removal, the NHS says: ‘If your spleen needs to be removed, other organs, such as the liver, can take over many of the spleen’s functions.

‘This means you’ll still be able to cope with most infections.

‘But there’s a small risk that a serious infection may develop quickly. This risk will be present for the rest of your life.’

If the UK vaccine drive accelerates from last week’s daily average of 345,000 people per day and is able to sustain its maximum rate of 600,000 doses a day, then the over-50s target could be hit by mid-March.

Department of Health sources were keen to downplay hopes, however, and said that giving out second doses could significantly slow down the rollout from March, while Mr Zahawi said the country could not be 100 per cent confident of vaccine supply.

But anti-lockdown Tory MPs are pushing for measures including school reopening to be eased sooner when the 15million most vulnerable people are vaccinated by mid-February – but Boris Johnson has ruled out any lockdown relaxation before March 8.

Sceptics claim the ‘goalposts are being shifted’ and the focus is moving away from controlling deaths and hospitalisations with dire warnings about the threat of mutant coronavirus and continued strain on the NHS.

Mark Harper, chair of the lockdown-sceptic CRG block, said once the top nine groups are vaccinated, which he believes is likely to be by the end of May, restrictions should be lifted altogether.

Experts estimate that the effects of mass vaccination could start to show through in falling numbers of people being admitted to hospital in mid-February, and then significantly fewer people dying from March.

They said there would also be an impact on infections, perhaps sooner, but this would be less noticeable.

The UK today announced a further 20,634 coronavirus cases and 915 deaths – both down a quarter on last week.

Another 469,016 people got their first vaccine dose yesterday, taking this week’s total to 1.19million in just three days.

Mr Zahawi said one in five adults have received a first jab already, with nine in 10 over-75s reached.