Young people roll up to get their COVID-19 protection

Our mass vaccination centres have been welcoming a new set of visitors in the form of 12 – 15 year olds getting their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Young people roll up to get their COVID-19 protection

Our mass vaccination centres have been welcoming a new set of visitors in the form of 12 – 15 year olds getting their COVID-19 vaccinations.

From Monday 22 October the nationwide 12 – 15 vaccination programme began.

Parents can  book COVID-19 vaccinations online for their 12-15 year olds via the National Booking Service meaning that our teams at the Guttman Centre, Kassam Stadium and Broad Street Shopping Mall have been busy vaccinating this new age group.

The launch of the national booking service follows on from the successful Oxford Health in-school vaccination programme which vaccinated more than 45,500 people aged between 12-15 across hundreds of schools in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Oxford Health is also delivering flu vaccinations to school children and so far his flu season has vaccinated 23659 young people.

Joanna Crawley, Senior Clinical Lead for Oxford Health, who designed the vaccination programme for this age group, said: “The School Aged Immunisation team and supporting workforce have done an outstanding job in getting so many young people vaccinated in schools since 22 September.

“Thanks to their hard work the Trust has managed to get 75% of those who consented vaccinated – outperforming the national average.

“The combination of the in-school offer and the opportunity to go to a mass vaccination centre means that young people have plenty of opportunity to benefit from COVID-19 protection.”

The opportunity for 12-15s get their vaccinations at a mass vaccination centre is being publicised nationally and the Kassam Stadium centre welcomed Sky News and BBC Oxford who interviewed young people, parents and Senior Clinical Lead Lesley Crosby.

Lesley said: “I am really pleased with the way the roll-out for 12-15 year olds has been working. We have great staff who are very experienced in all aspects of the vaccination process.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to get protection against COVID-19 and it is really encouraging to see all those from all age groups who are coming for their jabs and boosters.

“The volunteers who support us also deserve recognition as they make a massive contribution to keeping things moving and making sure visitors feel happy and looked after.”

Gabriele, 14, had his jab in front of the Sky News cameras and said: “I’m happy to have my jab. It didn’t hurt at all and would 100% urge others to get theirs done.”

Leo travelled over from Newbury with his Dad Adrian who worked as a vaccination centre in his home town, and explained: “It was very fast and only hurst for a second – there’s nothing to it.

“I was keen to get my vaccination as I want to play my part and be safer.”

Leane Foy, who brought her 15 year old daughter along, said: “The staff and process here are very impressive.

“We wanted the vaccination to protect my daughter and to help protect the wider community.”

Millions of letters are being sent by the Government to parents and guardians of children aged 12 – 15 inviting them to book the vaccine online or by calling 119 as the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme continues at pace.

The NHS booster vaccine rollout is also well underway with more than four million people already receiving the important top up jab ahead of winter in just four weeks since the JCVI updated its guidance.

Anyone receiving a text or letter inviting them for a booster jab should come forward as soon as possible to get crucial protection. You can find out more about vaccinations and boosters here.

 

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Published: 31 October 2021