Child-friendly Covid jab clinics launch in Cornwall with visits from therapy dogs
The NHS is encouraging parents to get their kids vaccinated ahead of the summer holidays
Child-friendly Covid vaccination clinics have launched in Cornwall, complete with visit from some special therapy dogs.
NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Public Health Cornwall and Cornwall Council are teaming up to encourage parents to get their children jabbed ahead of the summer holidays.
Vaccinations are now available for all children over the age of five and child-friendly clinics – including the likes of sensory lighting, fun furniture, music and play therapy - are being set up at sites across the Duchy to help put children at ease.
Therapy dogs have also been making visits to some clinics, to the delight of the youngsters turning up for their vaccinations. The dogs are next scheduled to visit clinics in Wadebridge and Helston for anyone wishing to pet a pooch while grabbing their jab.
Therapy dog Monty will be at Helston Football Club on Saturday 23rd July from 10.30am to 1pm as well as play therapy specialists on Sunday 24th July between 8am and 2pm.
Therapy dog Molly will be at the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge on Saturday 23rd July between 9.30am and midday.
Dr Whitney Curry from Public Health Cornwall said: “We are likely to see regular peaks of Coronavirus cases and new variants emerging for some time to come.
“Therefore, we would like to encourage parents and carers to consider vaccinating their children against COVID-19 if they have not already done so. Vaccinations are available for all children over 5 years of age.”
Health officials say Covid-19 poses a risk to young people, both during the initial infection period and with longer-term health issues such as long Covid.
The NHS say vaccinating children against Covid-19 can:
1 - Prevent further disruption to their education and social activity from initial infection as well as from long COVID which according to the Office for National Statistics affects 1 in 12 children in the UK today.
2 - Save lives by reducing the risk of infection to your child and to those around them, especially vulnerable and elderly family members.
3 - Reduce symptoms if infected and the likelihood of developing severe disease and lasting health issues, such as long COVID.
4 - Enhance future protection if a child has already had COVID-19, including against new variants.
Dr Curry continued: “We know that over the last two years in the UK and across the world, millions of children have been successfully and safely vaccinated against COVID-19.
“It is a requirement for all authorised medicines and vaccines in the UK to go through rigorous testing and COVID-19 vaccines have passed all their clinical safety trials and have been approved by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, which means they are safe.”
The NHS says the vaccine against coronavirus can protect children against severe illnesses very effectively. Children receive a lower dose and there is a longer interval between doses, which provides a strong immune response and protection. They added that vaccination also enhances future protection provided by a previous Covid-19 infection.
Iain Davidson, Chief Pharmacist from NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly said: “We know going to a vaccination clinic and having an injection isn’t necessarily top of a child’s favourite things to do but can assure parents that our staff will put them at ease and do all they can to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to book a vaccination appointment for their children online, or just walk in at their nearest walk-in clinic. To find out the details of their nearest walk-in site visit the Grab a Jab website.