Where 16-17 year olds can get a Covid jab this week

There are drop-in clinics running across Leicestershire.

 The latest site to start offering the jab to younger people is in South Wigston. 

This Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th August, people who are eligible for the vaccine can go to the South Wigston Campus of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, on Blaby Road, between 11am and 7pm.

People of all ages can attend, including 16 and 17 year olds, and NHS bosses are keen to see as many people from the neighbourhood take up the opportunity as possible.

You can either book an appointment or turn up on the day.

There are also clinics open at:

• St Hilda’s Church, Ling Dale, East Goscote LE7 3XW
  • Tuesday 24th August to Sunday 29th August 9.30am to 5.30pm
• Belgrave Pharmacy, 52 Brandon St, Leicester LE4 6AW
  • Saturday 28th August 2 to 6pm
  • Sunday 29th August 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm
• Mr Pickford’s, 46B Lacey Court, Shepshed LE12 9QY
  • Wednesday 25th August 12 to 5pm 
  • Thursday 26th August 1 to 5pm,
  • Friday 27th August 12 to 5pm
• Merridale Medical Centre, 5 Fullhurst Ave, Leicester, LE3 1BL. 
  • Wednesday 24th August to Friday 26th August 10am to 6pm

Meanwhile in Warwickshire, Bedworth Civic Hall has pre-bookable appointments available (8:30am – 7:30pm):

• Tuesday 24 August
• Thursday 26 August
• Friday 27 August
• Saturday 28 August
• Sunday 29 August
• Monday 30 August
• Tuesday 31 August
• Wednesday 1 September
• Sunday 5 September

Dr Caroline Trevithick, Executive Director of Nursing, Quality and Performance and Deputy Chief Executive of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland CCGs, said: “Clinics for under 18s are required to have specific safeguards in place to make sure they meet the needs of this age group, including having clinicians who are trained in vaccination of people with a lower muscle mass. This is why only selected clinics are open to 16 and 17 year olds. 

“More clinics are being set up all the time, so please do check our website. Clinics for 16 and 17 year olds are clearly marked as being specifically for this age group. Alternatively, if your GP practice is providing the Covid vaccine they will contact you.”

People aged 17¾ (17 years and nine months) or over can book their vaccine using the National Booking Service or by calling 119. GP practices who are providing the Covid vaccine are also contacting patients, and there is also the option to attend one of the drop-in clinics without needing an appointment.

Children aged 12 to 15 who are clinically vulnerable to Covid or who live with adults who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus are also being contacted by the NHS and invited for their vaccine. Text invitations appear as an alert from ‘NHSvaccine’ and include a web link to the NHS website to reserve an appointment.