All children aged between five and 11 can now get vaccine as online bookings open

Parents and carers of five to 11-year-olds will be able to book a Covid vaccine for their children today, as the NHS vaccination programme expands again. The service will open at 7am this morning (Saturday, April 2) for bookings with appointments available at hundreds of sites from Monday, and even more throughout the week.

The NHS is making the vaccine available for all five to 11s following updated Joint Committee on Vaccine and Immunisation guidance. The JVI recommended all children would benefit from a non-urgent offer of the vaccine, with almost five million now eligible.

NHS staff have already been vaccinating children aged five to 11 who have medical conditions that put them at increased risk from Covid-19 or who live with someone with a weakened immune system. More than three in five 12 to 15-year-olds have also come forward for a jab.

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Most appointments for this age group will be available at local vaccination centres or community pharmacies outside of school hours and are available to book through the online booking service or by calling 119. The NHS will be adding more appointments throughout the week so anyone unable to get a convenient slot initially should keep trying.

There are also convenient vaccine walk-ins across the country which families can find through the NHS grab a jab website. The NHS will also be sending invites to parents and guardians of eligible children throughout the next few weeks to let them know they can now book in for a vaccine and some people will be invited by their GP.

More than 119 million vaccinations, including more than 32 million boosters, have been