A University Professor has said that the UK is “past the point” where vaccinating young, healthy children will actually help in the fight against Covid.

Paul Hunter teaches medicine at the University of East Anglia and said most children have already had coronavirus, with the vast majority not falling seriously ill.

In parts of England, vaccination has begun for 5-11 year-olds who are either most at risk of Covid-19 or live with someone vulnerable.

Young people aged between 12 and 17 have been able to get a dose of the vaccine also.

Prof Hunter told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme infection rates in children are “falling really quickly at the moment”.

Messenger Newspapers: Vaccines for vulnerable children under the age of 12 are now being offered (PA)Vaccines for vulnerable children under the age of 12 are now being offered (PA) (Image: newsquest)

He added: “So I think in many ways we’re past the point where vaccines are actually going to make much difference.”

Experts from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation are expected to give their decision on vaccinating healthy, young children in the UK shortly.

READ MORE - Covid vaccines for children aged 5 to 11: What parents need to know

Hunter argued against the need for a decision to vaccinate healthy children though, saying that jabs hadn't negated the interruption on their schooling.

He said: "We haven’t seen that vaccines have actually done a huge amount to stop these interruptions, so I think the benefits are marginal, and it’s probably too late because most kids have already had Omicron.”

Hunter went on to say that there had been a high incidence of infection, making decisions around the benefits and risks of vaccines difficult to work out.