MORE children in Southampton will be able to get a Covid vaccine from this month.

Solent NHS Trust plans to put on clinics every Sunday for the whole of May, with 5-11-year-olds welcome.

As part of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Vaccination Programme, the trust has provided an additional 3,500 appointments across three mass vaccination sites at Oakley Road in Southampton, Hamble House in Portsmouth and Riverside on the Isle of Wight.

More than 6,000 children have already come forward since April 4 when vaccinations launched for this age group, and the additional slots will enable even more to get vaccinated. Hamble House and Oakley Road will also be able to offer ‘family slots’ enabling parents and their children to get vaccinated at the same time.

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Angela Anderson, Clinical Director for the Solent NHS Trust COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, said: “Our 5-11 vaccination clinics have been very successful – our dedicated teams have created a ‘child-friendly’ atmosphere to ensure that children are as comfortable as possible when receiving their vaccine.

"We have adapted our service model to provide longer slots, specialist training and adaptations to the environment. We’ve run competitions, had visits from our therapy dog as well as providing games and toys for children to play with, and we’ve had very positive feedback from parents and children.

“As a parent or guardian, the decision to get your child aged 5-11 vaccinated is yours. As well as protecting your child against serious COVID infection, by getting vaccinated, it can also reduce the risk of passing on the infection to others.”

Slots must be booked via the national booking system (www.nhs.uk).

People in Hampshire can also call the Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0300 561 0018.

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