The UK Chief Medical Officers have advised that all children aged 12 to 15 be offered 1 dose of the Covid-19 vaccination to help reduce the spread of coronavirus and limit any disruption to learning.
Vaccinations have now been completed in over half of the secondary schools in Wolverhampton, though some pupils may have missed their chance if they were absent from school on the day the vaccination was due, if they had tested positive for Covid-19 in the previous 28 days, or if parents or carers were unable to give consent.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Although the Covid-19 vaccination programme is voluntary, we are encouraging young people to get their jab as soon as possible, particularly because Covid-19 infection rates among secondary aged pupils are considerably higher than in the wider population."
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "Getting the vaccine will help to protect children and young people against Covid-19.
“Whilst most children usually have mild illness, they can pass on their infection to others in their family and those they come into contact with. Getting vaccinated will also help to reduce the chance of disruption to their education from Covid-19."
Parents and guardians of children aged 12 to 15 who have missed their opportunity in school can book an appointment online via Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, or by calling 119. Vaccinations are available at a number of GPs in the city. Please note that parents and carers must attend appointments with their children in order to give consent.
For more information about the vaccination programme for children, please visit GOV.UK.
