All 12-15 year olds can now book vaccine second dose

All 12-15 year olds can now book their second dose of the coronavirus vaccine as part of the national mission to get people protected against the Omicron variant.

Anyone aged 12-15 can now book their all-important second vaccination online if they had their first dose more than twelve weeks (84 days) ago, in line with updated guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published on 29 November.

The NHS in Derbyshire began rolling out first doses to the 12-15 age group in schools at the end of September, within 48 hours of the government accepting the UK chief medical officer’s recommendation to offer to these ages.

Nationally, more than 1.3 million young people have taken up the offer of a vaccine so far and more than 5,000 schools have been visited. Over 75,000 schoolchildren, c6,000 of which are in Derby and Derbyshire, are currently eligible for a second dose.

With schools now on their Christmas holidays, the NHS in Derbyshire is urging young people and their families to book in online for either their first dose if they haven’t done so already and second dose as they become eligible.

The school-age immunisation service in Derbyshire will resume in-school vaccinations from Monday 17 January 2022.

In line with national guidance, consent letters are sent out to parents and guardians prior to the school clinics with information on the COVID-19 vaccination.

Consent from parents and guardians who accompany their children outside of school hours to a vaccination site will be sought on the day. Parents and guardians do not need to complete a consent letter for a school clinic if they take their child to a vaccination centre.

Parents and young people are being asked to read the patient information in advance of arriving for their appointment.

Delivering first and second doses is still incredibly important and it is never too late for people to get vaccinated.  Teams are working hard – in partnership across our communities – to ensure no one gets left behind. In December, more than one million first and second doses have been given across the country. All eligible people can use the national booking service to book their 1st, 2nd, 3rd or booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine or manage an appointment.