Britain's government said on Saturday it had told England's health service to get ready for a mass Covid-19 vaccination programme for children aged between 12 and 15 starting in September, if vaccination experts give the green light.
A first vaccine dose has already been offered to all 16 and 17-year-olds in England as well as to 12 to 15-year-olds with specific underlying health conditions and those who live with someone who is immuno-suppressed.
Britain has so far not followed the example of many other countries which have pressed ahead with widespread vaccinations for children younger than 16.
Most children develop only mild or no symptoms from COVID-19, but they are able to spread the virus.
Britain's health ministry said "we need to be ready to hit the ground running and start those vaccinations as soon as possible" if the government's vaccination advisers backed extending the programme to all 12 to 15-year-olds.
The advisers are currently weighing up the possible harms and benefits of such an extension.
However, British health regulators have already said that the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are safe and effective for those aged between 12 and 17.
England's health service will begin contracting providers to recruit and train staff to provide school-aged immunisations to ensure teams would be ready to start offering vaccinations in schools from early September, the health ministry said.
Parental or carer consent would be sought before giving children vaccinations, it said.
The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own powers over health policy. As in England, they are not currently offering Covid-19 vaccinations to all 12- to 15-year-olds.
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
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The biog
Name: Sari Al Zubaidi
Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati
Age: 42
Marital status: single
Favourite drink: drip coffee V60
Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia
Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude
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Costa Rica 0
Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Women & Power: A Manifesto
Mary Beard
Profile Books and London Review of Books
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(Martial 30', McTominay 90 6')
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