Covid jabs: More than a million 12-15 year-olds have been vaccinated

More than one million 12 to 15-year-olds in England have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

NHS England said more than 3,500 schools have hosted clinics, while 95% of all schools have either already been visited or have a visit planned in the coming weeks.

Officials said the latest data shows that the NHS has hit the million milestone with children aged 12 to 15, with more than 800 schools set to be visited by NHS teams next week offering young people the jab.

Vaccines have been available to 12 to 15-year-olds in England since September 20.

Dr Emily Lawson, head of the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme, said: “It is fantastic that one million 12 to 15-year-olds have now had their Covid jabs thanks to the schools programme and the hard work of specialist NHS teams who are either visiting hundreds of schools every single week or our vaccination sites.

“I would urge families to look at the information together and then book in to give children and their loved ones crucial protection ahead of winter.”

Consent letters are sent out to parents and guardians prior to the school clinics with information on Covid-19 vaccination.

Parents and guardians are asked to attend vaccination sites with their children if they want them to be jabbed outside of school hours and consent will be sought on the day.

There are around 60 school age immunisation services across the country with teams made up of clinical staff such as paediatric nurses and school nurses.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Over a million young people aged 12 to 15 have now received the crucial protection the vaccine provides.

“This is a phenomenal accomplishment and will make a huge difference in stopping Covid-19 from further disrupting their education, their health and their lives.”