More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Invitations for Covid-19 vaccines have been posted to all 16 and 17-year-olds in an effort to boost take-up in the age group.
The invites are being mailed out to youngsters in Kent, in a bid to vaccinate them as quickly as possible ahead of their return to school.
Nationally, more than 360,000 16 to 17-year-olds have already had a jab – including those who were previously eligible due to an underlying health condition, and more than 125,000 who have been jabbed in the fortnight since vaccines were offered to all in the age group.
From today, 16 and 17-year-olds will begin receiving letters inviting them to visit their nearest walk-in centre, with many having already received invitations from their GP.
The Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) updated guidance on August 4, meaning all 16 and 17-year-olds could be offered one dose of the vaccine.
Anyone in this age group can now find their nearest centre through the ‘grab a jab’ NHS online walk-in finder, with more sites becoming available every day.
Follow-up text messages are being sent out tomorrow to make sure NHS staff are vaccinating 16 and 17-year-olds as quickly as possible, ahead of their return to school.
“With the start of the new academic year nearly upon us, I urge those who are now eligible to have the vaccine as soon as they can..."
It comes as the latest estimates show nearly 100,000 deaths are thought to have been prevented by coronavirus vaccines in England, along with tens of thousands of hospital admissions and millions of infections.
GPs are also inviting at-risk children aged between 12 and 15-years-old, who are clinically vulnerable to Covid-19 or live with adults who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus, with 30,000 children in this age group already protected across England.
Those who are eligible include children with Down’s syndrome, or who are undergoing many cancer treatments, had organ or bone marrow transplants or who are on the learning disability register.
The Covid-19 vaccine will also be offered to children aged 12 and over, who live with someone who is immunosuppressed, such as those receiving chemotherapy or who have had a transplant.
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group’s chief nurse Paula Wilkins said: “The opening up of the vaccination programme to those aged 16 to 17 is a big step in making sure we’re protecting our families, friends and communities against Covid-19.
“With the start of the new academic year nearly upon us, I urge those who are now eligible to have the vaccine as soon as they can. By doing it sooner rather than later, the vaccine will have the necessary two weeks to build maximum immunity.”
A vaccination information helpline has been set up provide more information on the vaccine and answer any questions people may have. This is provided by Involve Kent, with translation available, if needed. You cannot book a vaccine using the helpline.
More than two million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have now been delivered at GP-led sites, large vaccination centres, community pharmacies and hospital hubs across Kent and Medway.
The National Booking Service (NBS) is open to anyone aged 18 or over, and to people within three months of their 18th birthday.
However, you can find details of walk-in clinics for young people aged 16 and 17 and services available for 12 to 15-year-olds at www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/grabajab.
For a full list of walk-in clinics and more information on the vaccination rollout in Kent and Medway, please also go to www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/grabajab.
The vaccination information helpline is available by calling 0330 3204444.
