A quarter of a million letters will be landing with parents and carers of 5 to 11 year olds across the North West inviting them to book their children’s COVID-19 vaccination as the NHS continues its effort to protect the population.

Almost 5,000 children in the region were vaccinated during the first week of the rollout to the full 5-11 age group. A further 5,300 appointments have so far been booked for children aged 5 to 11 on the National Booking Service for this week, in addition to appointments made through local booking services and people attending walk-in clinics.

The NHS has already been vaccinating children aged 5 to 11 who have medical conditions that put them at increased risk from COVID-19 or live with someone with a weakened immune system. Updated JCVI guidance recommended all children in this age group would benefit from a non-urgent offer of the vaccine, to help protect against potential future waves of COVID-19 and reduce the risk of children falling seriously ill with the virus.

More than 100 sites, including local vaccination centres and community pharmacies, are vaccinating 5 to 11s across the region. NHS staff and volunteers are working incredibly hard to make the experience easy and comfortable for children. Many of the sites offer walk-in opportunities and families can find their nearest site at www.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab. The online finder shows which walk-in sites can vaccinate the 5 to 11 age group.

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, said: “I’m delighted that thousands of newly eligible children aged 5 to 11 have already taken up the vaccination offer to protect them from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 and to help prevent the spread within schools and communities.

“The vaccine is safe and effective for children and I encourage all parents to take up the invite and get their children vaccinated. The Easter school holiday is a perfect time to get them and the rest of the family protected.”

Emma took her 5 year old son Charlie to get vaccinated in Leyland. She said: “I just really wanted to express our thanks for the fantastic care my son received during his vaccine appointment.

“Once I had seen that the booking system was open for 5 to 11 year olds, I booked our son in for his first vaccine. Both my husband and I agreed that was the right thing to do both for Charlie and for his family, friends and the community as a whole.

“All the staff were welcoming and we were quickly seated ready and waiting. When we went into the consultation room the staff were so lovely.

“I just wanted to say thank you and that you are all doing an amazing job. The little things like the way you spoke to Charlie, the sticker and setting up the play area made all the difference to him and made the experience much less stressful for me too.

“I am so glad that we bit the bullet and booked him in. Keep up the great work.”

More than 14.8 million vaccines have been delivered in the North West since the start of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, including 3.8 million booster jabs, part of 120 million doses given in England.