On Tuesday 14 September the Government announced that children aged 12-15 will be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. Covid-19 vaccinations will be offered to:
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Year 7 students who have had their 12th birthday by the vaccination date.
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All students in Years 8, 9 and 10.
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Year 11 students who have not had their 16th birthday by the vaccination date. Year 11 students who have already turned 16 will not be offered a vaccination as part of this programme.
This is now being rolled out in schools across Northumberland. It is anticipated that this will run alongside the flu vaccination programme which is also taking place within our school.
Vaccinations will take place on:
Monday 4 October 2021 for Astley High School and Whytrig Middle School pupils
Thursday 7 October 2021 for Seaton Sluice Middle School pupils
In the North East it has been agreed that written parental consent must be given in advance in order for the vaccine to be administered at school. A consent form is being sent home with your son/daughter today. If they are currently absent from school, the form will be posted home tomorrow, Wednesday 30 September.
Please return the consent form by Friday 1 October 2021.
Your child will be asked for their consent on the day of the vaccination. The team are only able to vaccinate those children who agree to be vaccinated on the day and have advance written consent. If you have not given your advance written consent the team will not be able to vaccinate your child.
Alternative arrangements will be available if your child is absent from school or cannot receive the vaccine for another reason and you would like them to be vaccinated.
Is it safe to have flu and COVID vaccines at the same time?
Yes. Public Health England advises that there are no safety concerns and that COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as other vaccines, including the nasal flu vaccine. It is standard practice for different vaccines to be given at the same time as each other. This happens frequently with routine vaccinations that are given to children in the UK and other countries.
Covid-19 Vaccination Information Leaflets, Public Health England