Young people across Sefton are being encouraged to follow the lead of three triplets who got their first COVID-19 jab.

Triplets John-Paul, Joshua and Samuel Aney, aged 13, seized the opportunity to get their first COVID-19 vaccine dose at Netherton Health Centre recently.

The 13 year olds will now be eligible for their second dose in 12 weeks time.

Families across Sefton are being urged to get their children protected against coronavirus and use the online booking system to secure their appointment, or call their local centre to book in.

All children aged 12 to 15 can get a 1st dose and 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including children who turn 12 on the date of vaccination).

To get their vaccination, children or parents can:

• book their COVID-19 vaccination appointments online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy.
• find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment
• Book an appointment at Netherton Health Centre by calling 0151 247 6413
• Call Seaforth Village Surgery on 07979 938 229 to book an appointment

If you or your child are unsure about getting vaccinated, you can also go along to your nearest site and discuss with staff without pressure to get the jab.

Dr Ken Lamden, a local GP working on the vaccination programme, said: “We know that the best protection against coronavirus is to get vaccinated and I’d urge everyone, whatever your age, to come forward and get vaccinated as soon as it is possible.

“Anyone yet to come forward for their booster, first or second dose should check where there nearest site is and take steps to get protected now – it’s not too late.”

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has also issued advice that 12 to 15-year-olds should be offered a booster vaccine no sooner than three months after their second vaccination if: 

• They are in a clinical risk group or who are a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed 
• They are severely immunosuppressed and have had a third primary dose.

Latest JCVI guidance advises that children and young people aged 16 to 17 years should be offered a booster of COVID-19 vaccine no sooner than three months after completion of their first dose. 

Parents and guardians are asked to attend vaccination sites with their children if they are getting jabbed outside of school, and consent will be sought on the day.

Parents and young people are being asked to read the patient information in advance of arriving for their appointment.

In the North West, more than 14 million total doses of vaccine have been delivered since the vaccination programme began in December 2020, including almost 3.7 million boosters.

Anyone yet to have a first, second or third dose can book in online through the National Booking Service if it has been three months since your last dose and, if relevant, 28 days since testing positive for COVID if you are aged 18 and over.

To check eligibility and find a range of information about the COVID-19 vaccination programme, go to: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/who-can-get-the-vaccine/