Children in Bath and the surrounding area who are eligible for a Covid-19 vaccination are being offered the chance to get protected this half-term at dedicated vaccine clinics.
Five vaccination clinics are taking place during the October school holidays, meaning parents of children who are eligible have a choice of where to take them to get protected.
The Covid-19 vaccine is currently available to people between the ages of six months and 74 who are living with a weakened immune system, as well as to all adults over the age of 75.
Parents and carers of eligible children should have already been contacted about booking a vaccination appointment, but those yet to do so are encouraged to take advantage of the children’s clinics available.
Gill May, Chief Nurse, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “For vulnerable children, Covid-19 has the potential to be very harmful.
“Not only does it exacerbate the child’s existing long-term health condition, but it also makes it really difficult for their immune system, which is already in a weakened state, to actually fight off the virus.
“And with the beginning of December only six or so weeks away, these dedicated children’s clinics are perfectly timed to ensure that any child getting vaccinated will do so with enough time to build up a good immunity ahead of Christmas, New Year and the arrival of the really cold winter weather.”
The dates and times of the children’s vaccination clinics are:
- Monday 27th October, 10am – 11.30am: Taw Hill Surgery, Swindon
- Monday 27th October, 1pm – 3.30pm: Chippenham Community Hospital
- Wednesday 29th October, 10am – 11.30am: Central Health Centre, Salisbury
- Wednesday 29th October, 10am – 11.30am: St Martins Hospital, Bath
- Friday 31 October, 1pm – 3.30pm: Warminster Community Hospital
Parents and carers can book their child a slot at any one of the five clinics by logging on to the NHS website at www.nhs.uk or by calling 119 from any landline or mobile.
Other people who are eligible for a Covid-19 vaccination, including those aged 75 and over, can also book their vaccine appointment in these ways, with adults able to receive their jab at their GP practice or from a nearby community pharmacy.
