Wales to offer Covid jabs to children 5 to 11y. ???????

Here in Italy a mini Pfizer vaccine is being offered to all 5 - 11 year-olds.

Both my grandsons, ages 5 and 7 have had two jabs now. They receive a Certificate of Courage afterwards, of which they are both very proud.

growstuff

There's also the issue of anti-vaxxers, who have been demonstrating quite vociferously outside schools and threatening school staff.

True.

There's also the issue of anti-vaxxers, who have been demonstrating quite vociferously outside schools and threatening school staff.

I expect parents are prepared to travel to a GP, if their child is ill, so it doesn't seem much of an issue to travel to one for a vaccination, especially if they're timed at weekends. That's better than using precious school time for vaccinations and means that parents won't have to take time off work to be with their child for the jab.

growstuff

Callistemon21

growstuff

No, the vaccinations won't be carried out in schools. They'll take place in pharmacies, GP surgeries and vaccination centres. Why would these vaccinations need to be carried out more sensitively than any other?

Other vaccinations are carried out in schools.

All I know is what the government press releases have been saying, which is that they won't be taking place in schools. Wales and Scotland might very well be different.

That seems daft to me. Surely it is the case that vaccine uptake is higher in school-aged children when vaccines are offered in schools because this is the best way to ensure easy access for all children. Are parents of young children going to be expected to drive, or get a bus or taxi to way out locations? Ours is about 10 miles away here. Very time consuming, not to mention fares etc.

Callistemon21

growstuff

No, the vaccinations won't be carried out in schools. They'll take place in pharmacies, GP surgeries and vaccination centres. Why would these vaccinations need to be carried out more sensitively than any other?

Other vaccinations are carried out in schools.

All I know is what the government press releases have been saying, which is that they won't be taking place in schools. Wales and Scotland might very well be different.

All my grandchildren received the flu vaccine nasal spray every year when it was offered. My daughter took her youngest child to the GP surgery to have it done. I assume the vaccines given at school were administered by a nurse or paramedic. Teachers and TAs certainly wouldn’t give them as teachers are advised not to administer any drugs to children. When I was working I was happy to give Ventolin to a child, but nothing else. I’m not medically qualified and wouldn’t risk giving the incorrect dose.

Thanks for the information Callistemon21 much appreciated and also Josieann for the additional information.

If there is a low uptake anticipated they could use the existing drop in vaccination clinic arrangements, which include evenings and weekends. We will have to wait and see.

Casdon

Nobody is in a position to answer your logistics question Josieann as no country has issued their detailed vaccination arrangements for this age group as yet.

Yes, I am aware of that. Just bouncing ideas around.

The uptake for the nasal flu spray is around 60% in primary schools. I can see a jab uptake being less for obvious reasons. From what I read about France only 2% of eligible kids took up the offer in the first few weeks and things are going slowly compared with say Spain.

Nobody is in a position to answer your logistics question Josieann as no country has issued their detailed vaccination arrangements for this age group as yet.

Gwyneth

I didn’t know primary school children received a flu vaccine callistemon21 . I thought the flu jab was only given to adults over 60 or those with health problems?

They get a nasal spray flu vaccine.
It was, I think, intended to protect older family members but apparently it is now advertised as protecting children.
I don't agree with it.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine

I didn’t know primary school children received a flu vaccine callistemon21 . I thought the flu jab was only given to adults over 60 or those with health problems?

Will the appointments be weekends so as not to travel distances and miss school hours?

Generally, primary school children don't have vaccinations except for the flu vaccine which is a nasal spray vaccine administered in school so this is something new.

maddyone

It could possibly cause a problem if a very young child had a meltdown as the needle approached. Holding the child still could be construed as assault so it is better if the vaccinations are done in a vaccination centre with the parent present.

Do you know if there are special restrictions on the types of health professionals who can inoculate children? I gather some gp health centres won't take blood from young children but send them to the local hospital for a paediatric nurse to do this.

Have you got the figures for the numbers of young children suffering from Long Covid growstuff?

It could possibly cause a problem if a very young child had a meltdown as the needle approached. Holding the child still could be construed as assault so it is better if the vaccinations are done in a vaccination centre with the parent present.

5-11 year olds have been able to have the vaccine in Australia for the last 6 weeks or so. There was a push to have this done before the new school year started a few weeks ago. From what I read the uptake has been positive.

I've had vaccinations, regular blood tests and injected myself etc over the years but still have to look away if someone else is jabbing a needle into me.

I think it makes sense to use the existing vaccination centres, which are already set up and running, it will be better because parents will be able to attend with their child at a time of their choosing. It will also mean no disruption to schools, which have enough to contend with already.

growstuff

No, the vaccinations won't be carried out in schools. They'll take place in pharmacies, GP surgeries and vaccination centres. Why would these vaccinations need to be carried out more sensitively than any other?

My grandson has a needle phobia from having a painful vaccine done at some point. I must admit that, until a pharmacist told me that many young people had needle phobias I poo poo’d it, but it seems very real. My grandson nearly passed out when he had his covid jab. It took us all totally by surprise.

Callistemon21

growstuff

No, the vaccinations won't be carried out in schools. They'll take place in pharmacies, GP surgeries and vaccination centres. Why would these vaccinations need to be carried out more sensitively than any other?

Other vaccinations are carried out in schools.

Yes, they are, so I assumed these might too.

Thanks for the info. I did wonder.

Ever tried to hold onto a reluctant 5 or 6 year old as the needle approaches? It is traumatic for both child and parent. That's why I wondered if a friendly TA or similar could be on hand.

growstuff

No, the vaccinations won't be carried out in schools. They'll take place in pharmacies, GP surgeries and vaccination centres. Why would these vaccinations need to be carried out more sensitively than any other?

Other vaccinations are carried out in schools.