Almost five million children aged five-11 are eligible for two doses of the coronavirus vaccine following updated JCVI guidance, which recommended children can benefit from non-urgent offer of the vaccine.

With some schools having already broken up for the Easter break, hundreds of sites will be providing vaccinations from 4 April with more sites coming online throughout the week.

The majority of vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds will take place at local vaccination centres or community pharmacies outside of school hours and are available to book through the online booking service or by calling 119.

Since the NHS National Booking System opened for families of 5 to 11 year olds to book a Covid vaccine for their child on 2 April, 37,000 have already booked an appointment.

Nikki Kanani, GP and Deputy Lead for the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme, said: “NHS staff continue to work hard across the country to deliver the Covid vaccine to all eligible groups and this group of five to 11s are the latest to start receiving theirs, helping to protect against potential future waves of Covid.

“Local vaccine sites are making it as easy as possible for families, and a less daunting experience for youngsters, by offering things like games and therapy dogs, and it’s great to see lots of five to 11s already booked in. The vaccine is safe and effective – my 10-year old daughter will be getting hers this week – and I’d encourage all parents to read the information and consider booking their child in for a vaccination at the earliest opportunity.”