Dr Aparna Rao, GP partner, Brookfield Surgery in Lymm

Last week in surgery I was asked about the covid vaccination for children and why it was important.

I explained that for decades, vaccinations have protected our children and young people from potentially serious diseases, including measles, flu, meningitis and mumps.

By the time they leave school, a child will typically have been offered vaccinations against 18 different diseases or infections – the Covid-19 vaccine is one more vaccine that children over five are now able to have.

We all want to get back to normal – we want our children to go to school, do the things they love and catch up on lost time spent time with family and friends. But illnesses are still out there. Covid-19 is still active and causing some children to miss out on their education and things they enjoy.

The NHS wants to support families to make an informed choice about vaccinating their children, and to make vaccinations child-friendly and convenient.

In terms of the Covid vaccine, the JCVI recommends that five-11-year-olds be offered the paediatric vaccine, which has been approved by the UK’s medicines regulator, to boost immunity and increase their protection against any future waves.

The Covid-19 vaccine is already making a big difference to help protect us all. The vaccine does not remove the virus, but research and experience in countries around the world shows it can prevent the worst effects of Covid-19 and reduce the risk of infection to your child and those around them.

Since early April, it has been possible to get your child vaccinated at a site and time convenient for you – at vaccination centres, pharmacies and GPs offering jabs for this age group. You can view these sites and make an appointment through the National Booking Service or by calling 119.

Some walk-in sites are also available to vaccinate this age group and older siblings, or other family members, can be vaccinated together at the same time.

Children aged five to 11 with no underlying health conditions will be offered two paediatric (child) doses of the vaccine, with at least 12 weeks between doses.

A paediatric dose is smaller than doses given to those aged 12 and over. If a child has had Covid-19 they will still get extra protection from the vaccine, but they will need to wait 12 weeks before getting vaccinated.

Those five to 11-year-olds who are more at risk from the virus can already get two paediatric (child) doses, eight weeks apart, and their GP or hospital specialist should be in touch to arrange this.

Other illnesses are still here

Other infectious diseases beyond Covid-19 that can affect children and cause severe illness are still here and haven’t gone away.

It’s vital that parents bring their children to all their routine vaccination appointments and catch up on any vaccinations they have missed. Vaccinations can be rescheduled and every child is still entitled to their jab, even if they have missed an appointment.

You can read the NHS vaccination schedule on the NHS website.

Parents can speak to their GP to find out more about vaccines or visit nhs.uk for more information. You can also find out more on the UKHSA section of gov.uk