NHS starts online vaccination bookings for 12-15 year olds

The NHS have opened online vaccination bookings for 12-15 year olds in the UK, who currently have the fastest rising rate of infection

The NHS has opened online vaccination bookings for those under the age of 15, which can be accessed here. 

Currently, case levels in the UK are rising again. Health experts are warning that the NHS needs more resources, while the ongoing REACT study documents that the rise is most rapid among those under the age of 17.

Why are children gaining in infection rates?

An easy explanation for this is education, with groups in classrooms transmitting the virus despite the fact that over 70% of people are fully vaccinated across the country.

In the latest real-world figures, it was found that teenagers who take the COVID vaccine are 90% less likely to catch COVID. That study, conducted across 90,000 adolescents in Israel, further confirmed that the use of a vaccine could significantly help this age group – despite lacking the same threat to mortality that adults experience.

Still, younger people are worried about giving the virus to their elderly family members – especially as it has been a few months since the oldest people in the population have been vaccinated, leading to a decline in antibody protection at this moment in time. The COVID booster jab programme is rolling in full force, but has yet to attain high levels of use.

“I urge families to look at the information together”

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and deputy lead for the NHS vaccine programme, said: “As we head in to October half term, the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme is opening up vaccine centres to young people aged 12 to 15 as another way to get their vaccine – if they have already received their vaccine or been invited through their school then they do not need to do anything.

“The decision to get vaccinated has always been a private choice between a child and their parent or guardian – my 13-year-old son received his vaccine at school on the same day I had my booster dose in a local pharmacy. I would urge families to look at the information together and then book in to give children and their loved ones crucial protection ahead of winter.”