Currently, almost five million people – one in 13 of the population – is estimated to have the virus, says the ONS. However, as of yesterday, tests are no longer free for the majority of the population. Instead, you will have to pay for them.
The reasoning behind this decision is part of the government's plan to 'learn to live' with the virus. They argue that the majority of the population is now vaccinated, which also limits the risk of another possible lockdown. This is why cartoons, kids TV, colouring-in activities and achievement certificates are all being introduced at vaccination clinics as the Covid-19 jab is rolled out to children as young as five, Leicestershire Live reports.
"Previously, Covid vaccination for five to 11 year olds had been limited to children who are clinically vulnerable or immunosuppressed," said an NHS spokeswoman. "However, it is now recommended that the vaccination is offered to all five to 11 year olds, to boost immunity and increase their protection against any future waves of Covid."
As of today, parents and guardians will be able to book an appointment for all youngsters aged five to 11 years of age using the online National Booking System. The youngsters will be given a dose of the Pfizer vaccine, which was approved as safe and effective for children by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in December.
It was seen as a controversial move as the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises the UK health departments, had previously only recommended the jab for vulnerable children in this age bracket.
Dr Caroline Trevithick, Executive Director of Nursing, Quality and Performance and Deputy Chief Executive of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups, welcomed the roll-out of the jab to the youngest group yet.
"We are really pleased that vaccination has been extended to the wider group of healthy five-11 year olds," she said. "It will protect them against serious Covid infection and reduce the risk of passing on the infection to their family and others they come into contact with, but there are other benefits too. The vaccine will make it easier for children to avoid putting their lives and education on hold because of further disruption to schools, hobbies and social events due to the virus."
Dr Trevithick is encouraging parents and guardians to book an appointment for their youngsters, or to bring them along to one of the walk-in clinics. "For all the reasons expressed, we really encourage parents to bring their child to get the vaccine," she said.
It's one thing offering children as young as five the jab - but it's another thing entirely persuading them to sit still as a needle, however, painless it will end up being, is stuck into their arm. But this small matter is something the vaccination clinics have been preparing for.
"We recognise getting vaccinated might be a strange experience for children so young, but our vaccinators have been provided with additional training, and have a range of distraction techniques available to them to help support your child," revealed Dr Trevithick. "Our clinics are also making the environment child-friendly and welcoming for families with young children, such as cartoons to watch on TV, activities like colouring-in and each child will get a certificate after their vaccination."
Children aged five to 11 with no other underlying health conditions will be offered two paediatric (child) doses of the vaccine, with at least 12 weeks between doses. A paediatric dose is smaller than doses given to those aged 12 and over.
If a child has recently tested positive for Covid-19, parents are advised to wait for 12 weeks before bringing them to be vaccinated. However, they are being encouraged to still do so, as doctors say the vaccine will still give them added protection in the future.
Those five to 11 year olds who are more at risk from the virus can already get two paediatric doses, eight weeks apart, and their GP or hospital specialist should be in touch to arrange this. Some walk-in clinics are also vaccinating clinically vulnerable children.
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