A new Covid-19 vaccination clinic has opened in Derby, as part of the county’s nation-leading efforts to protect young people and their families from the virus.
As well as two sites in North Derbyshire, Midland House on Nelson Street in the City is now providing appointments for children aged 12-15 years old.
This builds on the existing programme to vaccinate children in schools through the School-Age Immunisation Service, which has been visiting Derbyshire schools to administer Covid-19 vaccinations since late September.
The vaccination sites which have now opened bookings for children already cater to adults, but the move to provide children’s vaccinations is an important step forward.
Joined Up Care Derbyshire currently has the second highest vaccination in England for 12-15-year-olds.
Jayne Needham, from Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, leads the service and said the response from schools has been excellent: “It’s a really important step forward to get these extra vaccination clinics for children who have missed out on being vaccinated at school for any reason.
“Appointments are available right now and we’ve already had a great response, with hundreds of children coming to Midland House."
Dr Mike James, who is clinical lead at Midland House, said it was encouraging to see so many children coming through: "The response has been excellent, with parents or guardians booking children in here to get their vaccination. The school-age immunisation team has been doing a brilliant job, and now we're providing an extra option."
Children need to have a booked appointment using the National Booking Service, which will show appointments at available clinics.