More than 80,000 young people aged 12 to 15 have booked their COVID-19 vaccination since online bookings opened.
As the extra option for getting children vaccinated came online on Friday night, bookings are now being taken up at a faster pace, with almost 33,000 bookings yesterday alone – thousands every hour. Around half a million young people in this age group have already been jabbed as the vaccination rollout, the biggest and fastest in NHS history continues to protect the country against the virus.
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‘The NHS is making it as easy as possible for parents to get their child protected this half term with tens of thousands of young people booking in online with their families so far,’ said Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and Deputy Lead for the NHS Vaccination Programme.
‘It’s really important that we keep that momentum going if we want to ensure children get to stay in the classroom with their classmates this winter so if you’re thinking about getting your child vaccinated, I would encourage you to head online and look at the information.’
The NHS has visited thousands of schools since rolling out the jab to 12 to 15-year-olds at the end of September – just a week after updated guidance from the government. Over one hundred existing vaccination centres are already getting families through their doors with more and more expected to come online this week.
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‘Our historic vaccine rollout continues to go from strength to strength, and more than 80,000 young people aged 12 to 15 have now booked in to receive their jab,’ said Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid.
‘The vaccines are available to young people through a tried and tested school immunisation programme and parents or guardians can book a jab at local vaccination sites, making it easier and more convenient for everyone to secure this important protection ahead of the winter months.’