One million children and young people can get Covid jab

More than a million children and young people can get the coronavirus jab in the latest stage of the NHS vaccination programme.

The NHS has worked to rapidly extend the programme to 16 and 17 year olds, the country’s most vulnerable children and those who live with vulnerable adults following changes in guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Children aged 12 to 15 who are clinically vulnerable to coronavirus or live with adults who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus will be contacted by the NHS and invited for their vaccine over the coming weeks. The vaccine will also be offered to children aged 12 years and over who live with someone who is immunosuppressed, such as those receiving chemotherapy or who have had a transplant.

Dr Nikki Kanani, NHS medical director for primary care, said: “NHS staff have delivered 70 million Covid-19 vaccines across England in just over seven months, giving protection against coronavirus to more than 39 million people and saving thousands of lives.

“The NHS has also worked hard to put the JCVI guidance into action as swiftly as possible and I am pleased to say that one million children and young people will now be able to get the vaccine, protecting themselves, their family and their friends. The Covid-19 vaccine is safe and effective and I urge anyone eligible of any age to come forward and take up the offer.”

In recent weeks, people have been able to ‘grab-a-jab’ at a number of pop-up clinics and walk-in centres in shops, parks or at locations like Thorpe Park.

Jabs have also been available at events like the British Open, Ascot and Latitude Festival.