PARENTS are being urged to have their primary-school-aged children vaccinated against Covid-19 during the summer holidays ready for the return to classrooms next month.
Currently only 7% of children in this age group have had their first dose, with some parents reluctant to book an appointment. Data shows they have the lowest risk of serious illness among the wider population and many children are believed to have developed some natural immunity to the virus after catching it earlier in the year.
But a spokesman from the government said: ‘Although children are generally at a lower risk of serious illness from the virus, a small number of children who do get infected go on to develop severe illness. The latest evidence suggests that offering the vaccine ahead of another potential wave will protect that small number of children from serious illness while also protecting many children from the impacts of milder infection.’
They continued: ‘Vaccinating your child now against Covid-19 will provide protection for any future waves of infection; the more severe a future wave, the greater the likely benefits from vaccination.’
The spokesperson added: ‘It is important for your child to receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. This will offer protection as we head into the autumn term. Children aged five and over have been able to receive their vaccine since April and there’s still time to make an appointment at the vaccination centre or rock-up to the vaccine clinics at Les Quennevais. The full schedule can be found at gov.je/vaccine. If your child has already received their first dose, you can use the “rock-ups” [walk-in clinics] and the vaccine centre to book their second.’
Children must be accompanied by a parent or carer who will need to fill in a consent form, provided with the letter from the child’s school.
Parents and carers must bring ID for themselves and each child before a vaccination can be administered.
There are special areas set up for children and young people and a team of staff who have experience giving vaccines to young Islanders.
Jersey is following the advice outlined by the UK on vaccinating primary-school children.
After assessing the benefits and any possible side effects of doses given to children, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation have recommended that all those over the age of five have the jab.
There must be a 12-week gap between the first and second injections.
