New age groups eligible for COVID-19 vaccination
Information about the programme in Hertfordshire
All of Hertfordshire’s 16-17 year olds can now have a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. A single dose will provide 80% protection against hospitalisation and protection could be even higher as younger people generally respond better to vaccines. Some will have already had COVID-19, but this doesn’t mean that they don’t need to be vaccinated, it means that they will have an even better immune response to the vaccine. The JCVI will provide further guidance on whether a second vaccine should be offered to this age group in future. 16-17 year-olds do not need the consent of their parents or guardians to have the vaccine, but they are very welcome to attend a vaccination centre with a parent, carer or friend.
Details of how to get the vaccine
At the moment the national booking system is not available for this age group but some walk-in clinics are available to 16-17 year olds and the number of vaccination clinics available to them is being expanded.
Details of all the walk-in sites offering vaccinations to this group are updated regularly and are available here.
Some GP practices will soon be starting to vaccinate 16–17 year olds and those practices will contact patients direct once this is available. Anyone not registered with a GP is strongly recommended to do so. Use this link to find out how to register with a GP surgery.
