The UK has joined many other countries worldwide in extending its vaccination programme to include children and young people.
Although COVID-19 is typically mild or asymptomatic in younger people, it can be very unpleasant and there have been a number of severe cases of the virus in this group. Young people are also at risk of developing Long-COVID so it is just as important for them to have the protection of a vaccine.
Those currently eligible for their COVID-19 vaccinations are:
- Children aged 5 – 11 are now eligible
- Children aged 12-15
- Young people aged 16-17
Please note:
• 2 October: Go live for 12 years and over
• 4 October: Delivery to sites
• 5 October: Go live for 5- to 11-year-olds with
• w/c 9 October: Delivery to sites
• w/c 12 October: Delivery to sites
• 16 October: Go live for 6-month- to 4-year-olds
• 16 October: Go live for 18 years and over
Those currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccine (3 months after receiving a 2nd dose) are: young people aged 16+
Children and young people aged 5-17 will be offered the Pfizer vaccine, which has been authorised for this age group in the UK.
Ages 5-11
As of 4 April 2022, all children aged 5-11 have been eligible to receive the vaccine. Appointments are available at vaccination centres, pharmacies and GPs offering jabs for this age group. You can make an appointment using the National Booking Service or by calling 119.
Ages 12-15 – Immunosuppressed at the time of their 1st or 2nd dose – three primary doses plus COVID vaccine.
- Contacted by the NHS for vaccination / letters sent
- Second dose – 8 weeks after first dose
- Third primary dose – 8 weeks after second dose
- Booster – 91 days after third primary dose
- Interval following a COVID-19 infection is 4 weeks from onset of symptoms or confirmed positive test
- If you have received a letter from the NHS saying you need a ‘third primary dose’, you can go to one of the following walk-in clinics: https://apps.norfolk.gov.uk/Primary3. Please take your letter with you when you attend a walk-in clinic.
Ages 12-15 – At high risk from COVID-19 – two doses plus booster
- Contacted by the NHS for vaccination
- Second dose – 8 weeks after first dose
- Booster – 91 days after second
- Interval following a covid infection is 4 weeks from onset of symptoms or confirmed positive test
Ages 12-15 – Household contacts of Immunosuppressed – two doses plus booster
- Contacted by the NHS for vaccination, school vaccination or selected walk-in clinics
- Second dose – 8 weeks after first dose
- Booster – 91 days after second
- Interval following a covid infection is 12 weeks from onset of symptoms or confirmed positive test
Ages 12-15 Standard (healthy / none of the above) – two doses
- Contacted by the NHS for vaccination, school vaccination or selected walk-in clinics
- Two doses, 12 weeks after first
- Interval following a covid infection is 12 weeks (84 days) from onset of symptoms or confirmed positive test
Parents do not need to attend school-based vaccinations, but should complete the consent form provided by the school along with information on the COVID-19 vaccination.
Please do not contact your GP to request a vaccination. Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust are working with schools across Norfolk and Waveney to vaccinate 12-15 year olds in schools.
If a child has missed their vaccination slot at school due to illness, absence or being educated out of a school setting, they can book a first dose via the national booking service or attended selected walk in clinics. There are additional clinical and safeguarding requirements that vaccination sites must meet in order to vaccinate those aged 12-15 and 16-17. Not all of the places currently vaccinating adults will be able to vaccinate children and young people.
Check here for locations that can vaccinate 12-15s. The right hand column of the list indicates whether each clinic offers the Pfizer vaccine, as recommended for young people.
For 12-15 year olds NOT vaccinated in school, it is important that a parent/carer attends the appointment to provide consent.
Priority 16-17 year olds – two doses plus booster
The following groups of 16 and 17 year olds (who have been eligible for some time as priority groups) are offered two doses plus a booster 91 days after their second dose.
- Those who are health and care workers. People working in CQC-registered care homes (including those aged 16-17) needed to have had two Covid-19 vaccines by 11 November 2021, unless they have a medical exemption.
- Those who are at high risk from COVID-19 described here – Interval following a covid infection is 4 weeks from onset of symptoms or confirmed positive test
- Those who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.
- Those who share living accommodation on most days (and therefore for whom continuing close contact is unavoidable) with individuals who are immunosuppressed.
- Booked appointments and some walk in clinics are available to this group.
Standard (healthy / none of the above) 16-17 year olds – two doses plus booster
Those aged 16-17 years NOT in priority groups are now eligible for two doses of the vaccine 12 weeks apart, plus a booster 91 days after their second dose.
- Booked appointments for first and second doses and some walk in clinics are available to this group.
- Booster appointments for 16-17 year olds will be available via the National Booking Service from 17 January 2021 (TBC) or you can attend some walk in clinics if you are at 91 days now.
- The full list of walk-in vaccination clinics across Norfolk and Waveney is available here. The right hand column of the list indicates whether each clinic offers the Pfizer vaccine, as recommended for young people.
- 16-17 year olds do not need parental consent for COVID-19 vaccination.
- Interval following a covid infection is 12 weeks (84 days) from onset of symptoms or confirmed positive test.
Background information
Information answering Key questions on the children and young people’s COVID-19 vaccination programme is now avaialble on the UK Health Security Agency blog.
There is also more information available on the Just One Norfolk website.
More information is also available on the Everything COVID website designed by young people for young people.