More than half of the Island’s 12 to 15-year-olds are yet to have a COVID vaccine as health bosses urge them to do so.
A team of vaccinators went round secondary schools on the Isle of Wight to give first dosses to pupils after the age limit for a COVID vaccine was lowered. However, only 2,751 12 to 15-year-olds (47% of the cohort) received one — something the senior responsible officer and programme director for the Island’s vaccination programme, Jane Ansell, said she was really concerned about.
Speaking at the Isle of Wight Council’s local outbreak engagement board meeting last Friday, Ms Ansell said the second vaccine would be offered to pupils from mid-January.
Ms Ansell said the Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group was working closely with the education sector to see what could be done, including offering non-vaccinated pupils first jabs while giving others their second to make the best use of vaccinators.
Wendy Perera, the council’s assistant chief executive, said the relatively high number of COVID cases in schools may have limited the number of pupils eligible for a vaccine. If children have had COVID, they have to wait 12 weeks before they can have a vaccine.
Simon Bryant, the Island’s director of public health, said increasing rates were being seen across the board but mainly in the younger school-age population. He said in those 5 to 9-years-old, the rates are highest as children interact and are unvaccinated.
The UK’s medicine regulator is currently deciding whether to vaccinate 5 to 11-year-olds but plans are being slowly developed should it be approved.
A pop-up vaccination clinic was announced last week at the Isle of Wight College by the CCG for 16 to 17-year-olds who are yet to have their vaccine, as NHS England statistics show 65% of them (1,812 teens) have had 1 dose.
We need walk in clinics for the 12 -15 year old group, you can’t seem to get your child vaccinated unless it’s done through the school?
Unless the jab can be administered via a phone screen, it is likely to reamain low.
One wonders if, in some cases, unless they have read it on their phone screens, they are even aware CV is rampaging throughout the world.
Due to high numbers of school students on our island having had COVID this should have been taken into consideration before you make headlines like this. Most of these students wanted to take up the option to have the jab but unfortunately being told they have to now wait 3 month before they can get the opportunity again.
Please make your headlines more realistic of what is really going on in our island.
Does the vaccine work or not? There isn’t any clear mandate. I have had 3, but will it work?? Pseudo scientists and liars, who do you believe??
Not surprised its low…ITS NOT NESSESARY
Was only meant for old n vunerable anyway.
But now since pharmas and gov being in cahoots on jabs ..a huge endless pocket liner can be had so lets just do everyone…every 3 months or so! Most have immune systems too cope.those who dont choose your options.noone jabbed or unjabbed Will avoid covid.its fact.but it is 98.7 %recovery.and kids defo dont need it.and ALL can still catch n spread it so just make no sense
No long term data on jabs…even though sheep seem oblivious too that fact and time will tell.dont live in fear which has been whipped up by media and lying gov
Live WITH it
May I suggest that as you will have such a long life (taking into account your theory on COVID) that you expend some time taking spelling lessons and learning proper English.