Jack Bracegirdle is a former Penketh High School student

LIFE in the UK is starting to return to normal with restrictions easing and government guidelines becoming optional rather than compulsory.

The Covid-19 vaccine rollout since December last year has undoubtedly played a huge role in getting the country back on its feet.

The government now hopes to emulate this success as it offers the vaccine to secondary school children aged 12-15, having already offered it to youngsters in that age group who have underlying health conditions.

Many children in Warrington have expressed their support for receiving the vaccine and their parents have given consent for them to be given it at school.

Mollie is 14 and has recently had Covid-19. She will have to wait 28 days from the date of her positive PCR test before she can be given the vaccine, however, she is still encouraging other teenagers to get the vaccine.

She said: “Although I’ve had Covid-19 and have to wait to get the vaccine, I’m still going to get it as I want to be as protected as possible.

“It’s not just about protecting ourselves, however, it is about protecting other people who are vulnerable.

“Many of my friends are getting the vaccine but there are still a few who are not.

“It’s understandable that people may be hesitant but the vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective”.

Some youngsters have questioned the government’s decision to limit the vaccine rollout to children aged 12 and above as this does not cover all students in secondary school, with some children in year seven having to wait until the summer when they turn 12.

Lilly has recently turned 12 and has therefore been offered the vaccine at school.

She said: "I think it is good to get the vaccine because it will keep me safe from getting ill with Covid-19.

“I am glad the government has said over 12s can get the vaccine but some of my friends are not 12 until next summer so they will have to wait.

“Maybe the government should have said anyone at secondary school can be vaccinated rather than specifying an age limit.

“We spend a lot of time together at school, often in large groups, so the risk is still there.”

Doubts have also been raised over children as young as 12 receiving the vaccine when other less fortunate countries are still struggling to vaccinate the elderly and vulnerable or even develop their own vaccine in the same way the UK and USA have done.