11 November 2021
Out-of-school coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination for your child (12-15 years)
Dear parent,
We have sent you this letter as the offer of a COVID-19 vaccine for your child has been expanded to allow parents/guardians of children aged 12-15 years to access an out of school appointment.
This means you can choose where your child receives the vaccine.
If you would prefer your child to have the vaccine at a local vaccination site, you are able to walk in, no appointment necessary at the following sites:
• Tipton Sports Academy, Wednesbury Oak Road, Tipton DY4 0BS
• Saddlers Vaccination Centre Walsall, WS2 9NW
• Cardiac Rehab Gym, City Hospital, Dudley Road, Winson Green B18 7QH
Alternatively you can book an appointment online through the National Booking System online or by calling 119.
If you would prefer your child to be vaccinated by their school vaccination team, if they have not already contacted you to date, then please wait for the school vaccination team or school to contact
you.
If your child has already received the vaccine in school, please do not book another appointment. Most children should only have one dose of vaccine.
Why your child should be vaccinated
Getting the vaccine will help to protect children and young people against COVID-19. Whilst most children usually have mild illness, they can pass on their infection to others in their family and those they come into contact with. Getting vaccinated will also help to reduce the chance of disruption to their education from COVID-19. This is an important decision and further information is supplied with this letter to help you make an informed decision.
The information is also available online at bit.ly/children-guide
Information in a range of languages as well as Braille and easy read is available at bit.ly/CYP-resources.
The information also identifies where you can find additional material to help you make an informed decision. Information on what to expect after the vaccine is available at bit.ly/after-your-vaccination
Pre-screening checklist
As part of the process your child will be taken through a set of screening questions. These are designed to pick up any conditions that may need special consideration by the vaccinator. Before
taking your child for the vaccine it would be helpful to consider what is likely to be asked, especially if you do not plan to attend with your child. To help you, a set of pre-screening questions is available online at bit.ly/vaccine-checklist
Consent
Consent is an important part of the process. It is important that parents and children discuss the information and come to a decision together. A parent or guardian should accompany your child and will be given the opportunity to ask questions prior to asking for your consent and for your child’s consent.
You can view a consent form to help your discussion but as consent will be obtained on the day it is not necessary to print and sign in advance.
The form is available at bit.ly/CYP-COVID-consent.
Your child may have the right to get vaccinated without your consent. These are very unusual circumstances and are based on an individual assessment. This can only be determined by the nurse
or doctor at the time. However, we would prefer, if possible, for you to come to a decision jointly with your child.
Further information on consent is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/consent-to-treatment/children/
How to book your child’s vaccination
To book online:
• Visit www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination
To book on the phone:
• If you cannot book your appointment online, phone 119 free of charge, 7am to 11pm, 7 days a week. You can ask someone else to do this for you. Please let us know if you need an interpreter.
• You can use text phone 18001 119 or the NHS British Sign Language interpreter service at www.interpreternow.co.uk/nhs119
If you can’t get a convenient appointment at first using the details in this letter, please try again later as more booking slots may become available.
Sally Roberts
Chief Nursing Officer
Black Country and West Birmingham CCG
Senior Responsible Officer for the Local Vaccination Programme
