News and events

Following government guidelines, some children aged 12 to 15 are being offered the COVID-19 vaccination if they have a higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 or if they live with someone who has a suppressed immune system.

Children aged 12-15 are now able to get their COVID-19 vaccination if:

• They live with someone who has a supressed immune system
• They have a condition that means they’re at a high risk from Covid-19

These children are being offered two doses of a vaccine approved for their age group, which will be given eight weeks apart.

GPs have used their records to identify:

1. Children aged 12 to 15 with severe neuro-disabilities, Down’s syndrome or underlying conditions resulting in their immune system being suppressed
2. Children with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties or if they’re on the learning disability register
3. Children aged 12 and over who are household contacts of people with supressed immune systems

(Please note, there are adults who are extremely clinically vulnerable because of a health condition whose 12–15 year-old children are not recommended to have a Covid vaccination. The eligibility for this programme is strictly defined so that vaccines are given to those most at risk. GPs decide who is eligible based on the guidance from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)

If you are a parent or carer of a 12-15 year-old who meets the criteria for a vaccination, you should have been contacted, either by your GP, via your child’s special school, or through a text or phone call from Hertfordshire Community Trust (HCT).

If you think that your child is eligible for a vaccination but hasn't been contacted, you should contact your GP practice in the first instance. If you do not get the help you require, you should contact your Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) which oversees the vaccination arrangements in your area. In the east and north of the county, you should email enhccg.quality@nhs.net or call 01707 685356. In the south and west of the county, you should email hvccgpatientfeedback@nhs.net or call 01442 898865.

On 3 September, the JCVI recommended that more 12-15 year-old children should be added to the list of those eligible to be vaccinated including those with:

• Haematological malignancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Type 1 diabetes
• Congenital heart disease
• Children with poorly controlled asthma
• A full list of health conditions added are available on the Government website

GPs will now begin to identify these additional children so they can be vaccinated.

We are waiting for the government to decide on vaccination policy for the remainder of the 12-15 year-old population. We will be keep you informed of local arrangements.

Get the facts on COVID-19

We know there are many rumours, false claims and myths around the vaccine and it is difficult to know who to trust. The internet is great, but it can also be used to spread misleading news and content.

Protect yourself and your friends from false information about the coronavirus vaccination by using the SHARE checklist to help you spot false information to make sure you don't contribute to the spread of harmful content. You can also visit the Full Fact website to get independent, fact checked information about COVID-19.

For the most up to date medical advice, visit the NHS website.

We must continue to do the basics

COVID-19 is still here, we all need to play our part to protect ourselves, our families and communities:

• Get vaccinated if you’re 16 or over
• Keep washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water
• Take a PCR test if you have symptoms, and isolate when positive or contacted by NHS Test and Trace, or when advised to by the NHS COVID-19 app
• Ventilate workplaces and social spaces
• Take a rapid or ‘lateral flow’ test twice a week if you don’t have symptoms

For more information, please visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus

This article was first published by Hertfordshire County Council on 10 September 2021.