5-15s encouraged to ‘grab a jab’ during school holidays

Wednesday, 25 May 2022 11:51

The NHS in the North West is encouraging parents of 5 to 15-year-olds to take advantage of time off school to get their COVID-19 vaccine during the May half term.

As schools across the North West take their half term breaks from next week, parents of children aged 5 and over will be able to choose from more than 130 community vaccination sites across the region.

Many vaccination services offer both bookable and walk-in slots and can vaccinate other family members too, making it easier than ever for families to get protected from Omicron.

A range of pop up sites including vaccination buses will be offering jabs without appointments, whilst other sites will be available to book using:

National Booking Service.

Pop-up vaccine services taking place through half term, with no appointment needed, include:

Longsight Market Car Park – Saturday, 28 May 12pm – 4pm
Nantwich Town Football Club – Monday, 30 May 11am - 6pm
Merseyfest at Chorlton Park – Wednesday 1 June 11am – 3pm

Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning for NHS England and NHS Improvement and Senior Responsible Officer for the Vaccination Programme in the North West, has reminded families of the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of summer, saying that this half term offers the perfect opportunity to give families that dose of reassurance.

She said: “COVID-19 is still active and the school half-term is a great opportunity for children aged 5-15 to get vaccinated. Any family members who are due a first, second or booster dose can get their vaccine too.

“The vaccine is safe and effective for children in this age group and, with more sites offering the jab to 5-15s during the school holidays, it’s never been easier for families to protect themselves against the virus.

“If your child is yet to be vaccinated, please find a site near you this half-term.”

Since the biggest and fastest vaccination rollout in NHS history expanded to children and young people, more than half of 12-15s across the North West have received at least one dose of the vaccine and more than 60% of those eligible had both doses, helping to reduce their risk of infection and the risk of passing the virus on to others.”

Clinically at-risk 12 to 15-year-olds or those who live with someone who is immunosuppressed are also entitled to their 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, patient information is sent out to parents and guardians with information on the COVID-19 vaccination.

Parents and guardians are asked to attend vaccination sites with their children. They are asked to read the patient information in advance of arriving for their appointment.

Young people who have had COVID must wait 12 weeks until they can be vaccinated, in line with JCVI guidance.

Parents can check local details of local walk-in sites at: