By Vaccine rollout extended to healthy 5-11-year-olds
It has now been confirmed that healthy children aged between 5 and 11 will be next in line for the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
This follows a recommendation by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation that people within this age group would benefit from the increased protection against future variants.
The scheme is set to expand at the beginning of April.
As of April 4, 5-11-year-olds with no underlying health conditions will be offered two doses of the vaccine, which is smaller than doses given to over-12s.
A wait time of at least 12 weeks will be required between jabs.
Just weeks earlier it was confirmed that thousands of people would be offered a fourth dose in the form of a spring booster jab.
But the move has prompted widespread controversy, with many unwilling to have regular top-ups or to have their children vaccinated.
Rebecca Neno, Director of COVID and Influenza Vaccination Programmes at NHS Lincolnshire CCG, said: “The aim of the NHS in offering to vaccinate 5-11 year-olds is not only to provide them with some protection, but also to support families to make an informed choice, and to make things convenient and child-friendly for those who do decide to get their child vaccinated.
“As with all the other age groups we have already vaccinated and continue to vaccinate, getting your child vaccinated will help to protect them from the worse effects of covid, as well as reducing the risk to them and those around them.
“COVID is still active and case numbers are ticking up again, but at the same time we are all striving for some kind of return to normality.
“The best way to achieve this is to get vaccinated, whether that’s yourself or your child.
“I understand there will be reluctance on the part of some parents and guardians to get their child vaccinated and the important thing to say is it is your choice.”
