Families with five and six-year-olds invited for Covid jabs

NHS England has said that invitations for Covid vaccinations will be arriving at the homes of more than one million families with five and six-year-olds this week.

JCVI guidance recommends that all children between five–11 will benefit from a non-urgent offer of the Covid vaccine, helping protect against potential future waves of the virus, with almost five million youngsters now eligible.

Invitations, being sent to families this week, will set out how easy and convenient it is to take up the offer of a vaccine as part of the NHS Covid vaccination programme by booking through the National Booking Service, or visiting their nearest walk-in site.

There are already more than 33,500 children aged five to 11 booked in for their dose of the life-saving vaccine between 25 April and 1 May, with a further 50,000 slots still available.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and Deputy Lead for the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme, said: “It is great to see so many families already booked in for their children to receive their Covid vaccine this week, helping to protect themselves against potential future waves of the virus.

“Local vaccine sites are making it as easy as possible for families and allowing for longer appointment times so that families can discuss their decisions, and make sure it is a less daunting experience for youngsters.

“The vaccine is safe and effective – my 13-year-old son has had his two vaccinations and my 10-year old daughter will be getting hers soon – and I’d encourage all parents to read the information and consider booking their child in for a vaccination at the earliest opportunity.”