NHS opens bookings for 12-15s to get second Covid jab

A Covid vaccine

The NHS has opened the national booking service for 12-15-year olds to get their second Covid-19 jab, as part of the mission to get people protected against the new Omicron variant.

The latest milestone in the NHS Covid Vaccination programme comes after a bumper weekend of jabs, with more than 188,000 doses being delivered across the North West.

All eligible 12-15s will be able to book their all-important second jab online if they had their first dose more than twelve weeks ago, in line with updated guidance from the JCVI published on 29 November.

The NHS began rolling out first doses to the 12-15 age group in schools at the end of September. All secondary schools in the North West have been visited or offered a visit from the school immunisation teams.

At the beginning of the October half term, out of school sites also began to offer first doses for 12-15-year-olds. In total, 43% of young people aged between 12-15 in the North West have received their first dose either in school or out of school.

As schools break for Christmas, the region’s vaccination lead is urging young people and their families to book in for either their first dose if they haven’t done so already or second dose as they become eligible.

Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning and Senior Responsible Officer for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in the North West, said: “As schools begin to wind down for Christmas, and with the new threat from the Omicron variant, it has never been a more important time to get your child protected.

“NHS staff are pulling out all the stops to get everyone who is eligible vaccinated, with more pop-up clinics and extended opening hours, so it is vital people play their part by coming forward as soon as possible to get protected.”

Parents and guardians are asked to attend vaccination sites with their children if they are getting jabbed outside of school-based clinics and consent will be sought on the day.

From 10 January second doses will begin to be offered through school clinics. Most schools may require multiple visits so that vaccines can be given to all consenting pupils.

Consent letters will be sent out to parents and guardians prior to the school clinics with information on the Covid-19 vaccination.

People can book their vaccine appointment online at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by phoning 119. A wide range of walk-in clinics are also available around the region, with many offering extra appointment slots during the run-up to Christmas. People can use the NHS online walk-in finder to find their nearest walk-in site.