Covid-19 vaccination programme opens up to healthy five to 11-year-olds

Children aged five to 11 are now eligible for a covid-19 vaccination to help protect them and those around them from the virus.

From April 4, parents and guardians can book five to 11-year-olds into specialist children-friendly vaccination clinics through the NHS website or by calling 119.

Across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire there are a number of specialist clinics offering the covid-19 vaccine in a safe and child friendly setting.

Amanda Sullivan, accountable officer at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG, said: “The covid-19 vaccination programme has successfully kept thousands of people in our region from becoming seriously ill with covid-19 and this is an opportunity to further protect our communities by vaccinating five to 11-year-olds.

“For decades, vaccinations have protected our children and young people from potentially serious diseases, including measles and flu. By the time they leave school, a child will typically have been offered vaccinations against 18 different diseases or infections ­— the covid-19 vaccine is one more vaccine that children will soon be able to have to protect them from illness.

“We understand if parents have questions, or simply want to find out more about the vaccine, and we would encourage you to speak to the vaccination teams at our sites. There is also plenty of information available to parents on the NHS website.”

The JCVI recommends that five to 11-year-olds are offered the vaccine, which has been approved by the UK’s medicines regulator, to boost immunity and increase their protection against any future waves of covid-19.

Children will be offered the Pfizer covid-19 vaccine. Each vaccine is a third of the dose of vaccine that is given to older children and adults. Your child needs two injections of the vaccine usually eight weeks apart. The vaccine has been tested to make sure it is safe.

Children should not attend a vaccination session if they have tested positive for covid-19. They should wait for 12 weeks before having the jab. Children who are at increased risk, should wait four weeks from a positive test result, before having their vaccine.

You can find more information about the vaccine in children here:

A guide for parents of children aged five to 11

What to expect after your child’s vaccination

Do children still need to be vaccinated if their parents already had the vaccine?

How do we know that covid-19 vaccines are safe for under 18s?

Do we have proof that the covid-19 vaccines are safe for under18s?

Can my child have the vaccine if they have allergies?

Are there any side effects for under 18s taking covid-19 vaccines?

Are there long-term effects for under 18s taking covid-19 vaccines?

Those eligible can book an appointment by calling 119 or through the NHS website.