Dear Parents/Carers,
Are you aware that all young people aged 16 to 17 in England are now being offered a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine? This is in addition to the ongoing efforts to boost uptake for those aged 18 and over.
The vaccine offered to this age group will be the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This will provide around 80% protection against hospitalisation. Actual levels of protection could be even higher as younger people respond better to vaccines. Some 16 to 17 year olds will also have already had the COVID-19 infection, meaning their protection level could be even greater.
Getting vaccinated is the single most important step that young people can take to protect themselves, their families and their communities against COVID-19 and to help us all get back to normal.
In south-east London, young people aged 16 and 17 can get a vaccine in one of two ways:
- by attending a grab-a-jab walk-in clinic
- through a direct invitation to book from a healthcare provider.
They do not need to contact their local GP or other NHS services before they receive a letter or text with details of how to get the jab, although we recommend they make sure that their GP has their direct mobile number. Those within three months of their eighteenth birthday, or who are 18 already also have the option to book through the National Booking System by calling 119 or booking an appointment online at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination
People aged 16+ can walk-in to many grab-a-jab clinics in pharmacies, pop up tents, hospitals, health centres, sports stadiums, parks, buses, places of worship, housing estates and community centres across the borough and wider south-east London.
You can find details of the grab-a-jab walk-in clinic nearest you at www.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab. More clinics are added daily so do please keep checking back.
It is not necessary to provide proof of address, immigration status or an NHS number at walk-in clinics but proof of age is recommended.
If you or the young person in your care have any questions, please visit www.nhsvaccinefacts.com
Although those aged 16+ don’t require parental consent, we would appreciate your support in enabling access to the vaccine and further information.
Thank you.
Steve Whiteman, Director of Public Health
Royal Borough of Greenwich
