Vaccination is our best route out of the pandemic so it’s brilliant that more than 86 per cent of all eligible adults across Swindon, Wiltshire, and Bath and North East Somerset, have had their COVID-19 immunity topped up with a booster dose. If you haven’t yet had your first, second or booster dose, it’s never too late to come forward. Book your slot via the NHS website or find a walk-in appointment near you.
All children aged between 12 and 15 years old are also eligible for the vaccination. Around two thirds of this age group in the region have had their first dose, with a further 28 per cent having had both doses. Sessions are being held in schools, but please remember that children, or their parents and carers, can also book a slot at one of our vaccination sites as an alternative way of accessing the vaccine.
The offer of a COVID-19 vaccine has now been extended to children aged between five and 11 years old who are considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable. This news will be welcomed by many parents of young children who have been concerned about how catching COVID-19 may affect their child given their existing health condition.
Families across Swindon whose five to 11-year-old children are eligible for their vaccine, will be contacted by their GP practice. If a family’s GP practice is not participating in this stage of the vaccination programme, children will still be able to get protected at large vaccination centres, and the teams at these sites will contact parents directly.
For more information read the full E-newsletter.