64% of 12 to 15 year olds in East Midlands have had first COVID jab
NHS teams are set to visit over 300 schools in the Midlands this month
Young teens in the Midlands are being urged to get vaccinated as latest figures show that over 200,000 remain unprotected from COVID-19 in the region.
NHS teams are set to visit over 300 schools in the Midlands this month, making it convenient for pupils aged 12 to 15 to get their vaccines in school.
In the East Midlands 64% (140,762) of 12–15-year-olds on average have had at least one dose of the COVID vaccine and 31% (69,008) are now double jabbed.
Over 60% on average (168,304) of 12–15-year-olds in the West Midlands have received a first dose and 27% (72,598) have now had their second dose.
During the half-term holidays, NHS initiatives to vaccinate young people included the use of therapy dog, Ruby, to calm nerves in Nottingham, special displays of superheroes and princesses in Worcester and a mini toy town in the Black Country.
12-15-year olds can still attend vaccination clinics throughout the Midlands out of school hours.
While school children have faced significant disruption to their education due to the pandemic, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) – independent experts who advise on vaccinations – have advised a second COVID vaccination three months on from their first which offers the best protection against the virus for this age group, ensuring they are protected and helping to keep them in school.
While most children infected usually have mild symptoms from COVID-19, some do become quite ill and some go on to develop more serious symptoms. This includes ‘long COVID’ which has side-effects such as extreme fatigue and weakness. While doctors are still learning about these long-term effects, it is clear that vaccination protects against the damage they can do.