NHS expands Covid vaccination to include vulnerable 5-11 year olds

The NHS on Sunday (January 30) expanded its Covid vaccination programme to include vulnerable children aged five to 11 years.

Eligible children include those with diabetes, immunosuppression, learning disabilities, and other conditions as outlined by the UK Health Security Agency in the Green Book.

Besides, children living with someone immunosuppressed will be eligible to get the first dose of the Covid vaccine in line with advice issued by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI).

According to the NHS there are around 500,000 eligible children in the latest cohort.

GP and deputy lead for NHS vaccination programme Dr Nikki Kanani, said: “We know vaccines give significant protection against severe illness from Covid – including the omicron variant, so it is important that our youngest and most at-risk get protected.

“The NHS is now vaccinating the most at risk 5-11 year olds ensuring they get their vital dose of protection.

“Thousands of young people are still getting protected every day with millions vaccinated so far and we are asking parents not to delay coming forward – as soon as the NHS contacts you, please come forward so the NHS can protect their youngest against the virus”.

All eligible children will be offered two 10 microgram doses of the Pfizer vaccine eight weeks apart.

The NHS has already delivered over 3.5 million vaccinations to people aged 12-17, including over 2.4 million first doses.

It has asked parents and guardians to attend with their children and read the patient information in advance which includes details about the Covid-19 vaccination.

So far, the NHS has delivered over 115 million coronavirus vaccinations, including 43.9 million first doses and over 31 million booster doses.