Children aged 12 to 15 years attending schools in Bolton are now eligible for their first COVID-19 vaccination and will be offered a first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine over the coming weeks. Children who have started year 7 in secondary school, but who have not yet reached their twelfth birthday will not be currently eligible for the programme. Children and young people aged 12 to 15 years who are at increased risk from infection or are living with someone who may be at increased risk, have already been offered two doses of the vaccine, eight weeks apart.
The COVID-19 vaccination programme is voluntary, although we do encourage as many young people to take the vaccine as possible. We understand that this may be an anxious time for families considering whether their child or children should have the vaccine and that you may have some questions. Attached to this webpage is a detailed FAQ sheet which will hopefully answer many of your queries about the vaccine itself.
How it will work in Bolton
The vaccination programme will be delivered within local secondary schools by our skilled and experienced School Aged Immunisation Service (SAIS). This is provided by Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, who will be legally responsible for the programme; with oversight from Dr Helen Wall, Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Bolton, and the Public Health department at Bolton Council.
The SAIS along with our school nursing teams, have long-standing and trusted relationships with ourschools, and already deliver routine immunisation programmes within education settings.
When will my child be offered the vaccine?
We will be visiting schools in Bolton according to a timetable which will be shared with the schools in advance. They will let you know which day it will be happening and ensure that you have been given the opportunity to provide consent beforehand.
Here at Little Lever School, the vaccination team will be in school on Friday 8th October. Students will be issued with a Parental Consent Letter on Monday 4th October. This must be completed jointly by the parent/carer and student and returned to school by no later than Wednesday 6th October. Students hand the consent form to their Form Tutor in the morning. If a consent form is not returned, a vaccination cannot be administered.
Once the school has a confirmed list of students who will be offered the vaccine, staff on Friday will collect and escort students to our gymnasium where the team will be based. Support will be provided there. Students will be monitored for 15 minutes after the vaccination has been administered before returning to class if appropriate.
Who do I contact if I have more questions that are not answered in these documents?
Please contact a member of the immunisation team via email at Bolton5-19ImmsTeam@boltonft.nhs.uk, or please call 01204 463170 and ask for Jayne Monaghan, Team Leader.