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12-15s urged to get vaccinated as 45% remain unprotected from COVID in West Midlands

12–15-year-olds in the West Midlands are being urged to get vaccinated as latest figures show that on average just 55% in the region have had a first dose of the COVID vaccine.

COVID has caused so much disruption for so many families over the past two years, affecting young people’s lives and education, and getting vaccinated protects them, their family and their friends, letting them stay at school and continue socialising.

12 to 15-year-olds can get their first or second dose of the vaccine outside of school if they prefer, making it even easier for them to get protected. They can do this by using the National Booking Service, which includes many convenient, established sites across the region such as community pharmacies, GPs and large vaccination centres.

To make an appointment at one of these sites, children or their parents/guardians simply need to visit www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or call 119.

Children and young people can also get vaccinated at convenient local walk-in vaccination sites available in the region, which do not even require an appointment or an NHS number. These can be found at www.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab. Not every vaccination walk-in site can vaccinate 12-15s but the website shows which ones do, and more sites are added regularly.

While most children infected usually have mild symptoms from COVID-19, some do become quite ill and some go on to develop more serious symptoms. This includes ‘long COVID’ which has side-effects such as extreme fatigue and weakness. While doctors are still learning about these long-term effects, it is clear that vaccination protects against the damage they can do.

Jake Hopkins, aged 13, from Shropshire, was very keen to get the jab. “So many of my friends have had COVID and missed out on stuff, so I was keen to get vaccinated as soon as possible. I’m relieved to finally have my vaccine,” said Jake.

Roz Lindridge, the NHS England and NHS Improvement director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said:

“We are sadly seeing numbers of young people with COVID in hospitals across the region and many of them are not fully vaccinated or have not been vaccinated at all. So, I would urge parents of 12–15-year-olds to take up the offer as soon as they can, to receive greater protection from the virus.

“By getting vaccinated, children and young people can reduce the risk of passing on the infection to others in their family and others they come into contact with. Getting the vaccine can also make it easier for children and young people to avoid putting their lives and their education on hold because of further disruption to schools, hobbies and social events due to the virus.

“It is not too late for a first vaccine, so I urge all who have not yet come forward to do so – to get the best protection for themselves, for their families and their communities.”