NHS teams across Greater Manchester are returning to schools to offer first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to young people.

All schools will have an agreed date for their vaccine session by Easter, making it convenient for pupils aged 12 to 15 who have already had their first dose to get their second dose in school. Teams will also be able to give first doses to any students who have not yet had one.

With school children having faced significant disruption to their education due to the pandemic, the JCVI – independent vaccination experts – advised a second Covid vaccination three months on from the first.

This offers the best protection against the virus for this age group, ensuring they are protected and helping to keep them in school.

Following an NHS half term push, nearly 8,000 more 12 to 15s across Greater Manchester have received their vaccine, with nearly a quarter of these - 24 per cent - receiving a first dose. 

More than 37,000 young people have been double jabbed across Greater Manchester so far - two months after the biggest and most successful vaccination programme in NHS history started to roll out second doses to 12 to 15s.

Christine Khiroya, Nurse Consultant with Lead Responsibility for Screening and Immunisation, is reminding families of the various options available to get vaccines, including booking an appointment online, local walk-in centres or through the clinics provided in schools.

She said: “As the Covid-19 vaccine remains our best defence from the virus, it’s encouraging to see that out of the thousands of 12 – 15s vaccinated during the half term, there were a significant amount of first doses.

“As children return to school after the break, NHS teams are getting ready to host many more vaccine clinics so that 12-15s can easily get protected. If your child is yet to be jabbed, take up the school offer, book online or find a walk-in site near you.”

In total, more 115,000 doses have been delivered to those aged 12 to 15 in the North West region.

Children who have had Covid must wait 12 weeks after infection until they can be vaccinated, in line with JCVI guidance.  

Clinically at-risk 12 to 15 year-olds or those who live with someone who is immunosuppressed are also entitled to a booster three months after their two primary doses, with those who are severely immunosuppressed able to get their booster after a third primary dose.

In line with national guidance, consent letters are sent out to parents and guardians prior to the school clinics with information on the Covid-19 vaccination. Parents and guardians are asked to attend vaccination sites with their children if they are getting jabbed outside of school, and consent will be sought on the day.

People can find a walk-in site close to them at www.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab, book appointments on the National Booking System here or call 119.

Details of local centres can be found in Tameside at tameside.gov.uk/covidvaccine and in Oldham at oldham.gov.uk/vaccine