The parents and carers of around 200,000 five- to-11-year-olds in Cheshire and Merseyside can now get a covid vaccination to help protect them and their families this Easter Holiday.

The National Booking Service has opened up to this age group as the largest and most successful vaccination programme in NHS history expands yet again.  

The Cheshire and Merseyside NHS Vaccination Programme team is making the vaccine available for all 5-to-11s following updated guidance, which recommended all children would benefit from a non-urgent offer of the vaccine. This will help protect against potential future waves of Covid-19 and reduce the risk of children spreading the virus to their friends and loved ones or becoming ill themselves.

NHS staff have already been vaccinating children aged 12-15 as well as 5-11s who have medical conditions which put them at increased risk from Covid-19 or who live with someone with a weakened immune system. More than half of 12- to-15-year-olds have now come forward for a jab.

Numerous sites across Cheshire and Merseyside are providing vaccinations to 5-11s for both those with a booked appointment and also those who walk-in to some of the sites.

Jayne Wood, Vaccine Director for Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “Vaccines continue to be our best defence against Covid-19 and reduce the risk of people becoming seriously ill if they do contract this virus. For younger people this is also about helping reduce the spread of the virus and lessening the chance of them passing Covid-19 on to their family or friends.

“As Covid cases remain high in the community this is an ideal opportunity, during the school holidays, to get your children vaccinated. I’d encourage parents of all children aged 5 to 11 to read the NHS information available and book a vaccine.

The majority of appointments for this age group will be available at local vaccination centres or community pharmacies outside of school hours and are available to book via the National Booking Service – on the NHS website or by calling 119.

There are also convenient vaccine walk-ins across the country which families can find via www.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab. The online finder shows which walk-in sites can vaccinate which age groups.

The NHS is also sending invites to parents and guardians of eligible children throughout the next few weeks to let them know they can book in for a vaccine. Some people will also be invited by their GP.

Families will be given a vaccination record card once their child has been vaccinated and are asked to keep this in a safe place. The vaccination record card provides the name of the vaccine, batch number and the date the vaccine was given.