A superhero and princess themed day at a vaccination site in the South East is just one of many attractions to encourage children to be vaccinated as schools break-up for half-term.

It’s happening at the Sovereign Harbour Community Centre in Eastbourne (also known as The Crumbles) today (14/2) for at risk children aged 5-11.

On Saturday (12/2), scores of children aged 12-15 years-old and at-risk children aged between 5-11, attended a pre-bookable pop-up clinic at North East Surrey College of Technology in Epsom, Surrey, where they were able to pet Shetland Sheep on site.

Over in Andover, 35 children were vaccinated at the popular Chantry Centre vaccination unit where some staff wore fancy dress.

A number of young people also attended a walk-in clinic held at Taqwah Mosque in Southampton yesterday (13/2).

The South East has already seen a significant uptake amongst 12-15-year-olds in England, with over 292,000 children having received their first dose and 118,000 their second dose. Many of these have taken place in school settings since September last year.

Nationally, the NHS has sent text, letter and email reminders to parents and guardians of more than 1.3 million schoolchildren aged 12 to 15, reminding them of the importance of getting their first dose.

Caroline Reid, Regional Director of Commissioning and SRO for the Flu and Covid vaccination programme across the South East, said: “This half term, we are particularly encouraging 12-15-year-olds who have not yet been vaccinated to come forward.

“There are always people at hand to talk through any questions or concerns, and it’s great to see that colleagues have put in place innovative ideas to help children and young people have the most relaxing and calm experience whilst being vaccinated.”

GP and deputy lead of the NHS vaccination programme, Dr Nikki Kanani, said: “Whilst it is great news that more than 1.5 million children aged 12 to 15 have had their first dose, and the NHS has already delivered more than half a million second doses to this age group since the end of December, it is estimated that more than 2 in 5 children in this age group are yet to come forward for their all-important vaccine.

“For those yet to come forward, this half term offers the perfect opportunity to get your child protected, by booking an appointment online or using one of the hundreds of walk-in sites across the country with pop-ups this week at places like North East Surrey College of Technology.

“My 13-year-old son has now had both doses of the vaccine and it has definitely given us both that extra dose of reassurance.”

The most recent ONS data shows that rates of Covid infections among those in school years 7 to 11 remains high, with around one in 11 (8.7%) testing positive in the week to February 5.

Young people who have had Covid must wait 12 weeks until they can be vaccinated, in line with JCVI guidance.

In line with national guidance, patient information is sent out to parents and guardians with information on the Covid-19 vaccination.

Parents and guardians are asked to attend vaccination sites with their children. They are asked to read the patient information in advance of arriving for their appointment.

Anyone aged 16 and over can book an appointment for their first, second or booster dose via the online booking service or visit more than a thousand walk-ins across the country.

New ONS data recently showed that the risk of death is 93% lower for people who have had a booster or third dose of vaccine, compared with unvaccinated people.