Millions more Brits invited to book in for next Covid jabs

MILLIONS more Brits can book their Covid jabs from today to help stop future waves of the virus.

Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and others from illness.

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Omicron is still the dominant strain of coronavirus in the UK and a myriad of studies have shown it is milder.

Infections have been falling in recent weeks and jabs have helped to drive these rates down.

But it’s still important to get yours when it’s your turn and the NHS is now urging parents to book their five and six-year-olds in for the shot.

Guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said all children will benefit from a Covid jab.

Five million youngsters are now eligible and invitations are being sent out to families across the country this week.

Once you get the invite you can book your child in through the national booking service or visit a walk in site.

The slots will be outside school hours so that parents have time to take their kids for their jabs.

Over 33,500 kids are already booked in for their jabs between now and Sunday – with a further 50,000 slots up for grabs.

Adults can also come forward for their Spring boosters and those who have not yet received a jab have also been invited.

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.”

She added that the vaccine is both safe and effective and said her 13-year-old-son has already had two jabs and that her 10-year-old daughter will also be getting hers soon.

“I’d encourage all parents to read the information and consider booking their child in for a vaccination at the earliest opportunity”, she added.

Getting children vaccinated will help protect them

Maggie Throuphealth minister

Since December 2020 more than 121 million vaccines have been given out across the UK.

All kids aged between five and 11 will be offered two doses, 12 weeks apart.

Each family will be given a vaccination record card once their child has been jabbed.

Health minister Maggie Throup said the Covid vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and those around you as we learn to live with the virus.

“Parents can, if they want to, continue to take up the offer to increase their family’s protection against potential future waves of Covid – local vaccine sites or pharmacies are open outside of school hours and clinicians are more than happy to offer advice and ease any concerns parents or children might have.

“Although children without underlying health conditions are at low risk of serious illness from Covid, and the priority remains for the NHS to offer vaccines and spring boosters to adults and vulnerable young people, getting children vaccinated will help protect them”, she said.

Last month millions more Brits were invited to come forward for their Spring boosters.

Older adults in care homes will be visited by NHS teams who will give jabs — as long as it has been six months since their last one.

Five million in total will receive either the Pfizer or Moderna jab this spring.

The over-50s are expected to be offered another top-up this year, probably in the autumn.