Covid-19 Vaccination Consent

Letter From Virgin care

Invitation letter for parents of children aged 12 to 15 years of age  

Dear Parents and Guardians,  

COVID-19 vaccination CONSENT for children aged 12 to 15 years of age  

I am writing to inform you that we will imminently be offering COVID-19 vaccinations in school. Covid vaccinations will only be administered to children where a positive consent has been completed by parents/ guardians. If there is any discrepancy between child and parental view a call will be made to parents away from the immunisation sessions to discuss and catch-up vaccination arranged where required. 

This vaccination will be free of charge and our highest priority is making it easy for children to access one dose of the vaccine before the winter.  

The main purpose of the COVID-19 school age vaccination programme is to provide protection to the children who receive the vaccine and may help to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in the wider population.  

By consenting you will be helping to play your part in reducing the risk of COVID-19 spreading.   

Please see information on the children's covid vaccination to inform your consent via this link:  

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1019020/PHE_12073_COVID-19_parents_leaflet.pdf 

Please ensure you discuss the vaccination with your child and go through the above information (on the link) about the vaccine with them, so they are fully informed at point of vaccination.  

The programme is open to all young people in school years 7-11 who are 12 years or older on 11^th October 2021 (this includes those in Year 11 who are 16 and have not received the vaccination). 

The vaccine is being co-administered alongside the nasal flu vaccine in school, the consent for the flu vaccination has been distributed via separate communication from school so please also complete the flu consent if you wish your child to receive both vaccines. Please note the Covid vaccine is not a live vaccine and there is therefore no risk to other children or unvaccinated children from this taking place in school.  

The 12–15-year-olds vaccination is currently a one dose vaccine schedule. Should this change, or your child is identified as clinically extremely vulnerable or living with an immuno-compromised household member, contact will be made to obtain consent for subsequent vaccine doses where required. 

Please indicate your consent or decline to vaccination by completing an electronic consent via this link:  

https://schoolimms.virgincare.co.uk/covid/2021/devon

The NHS Number is not a mandatory field so please leave this blank if not available.  

Please note the e-consent will only be open until Midnight on Tuesday 5th October, it is therefore essential if you wish your child to receive the vaccine this is completed immediately upon receipt. We apologise for the very short window that you have been provided for this consent to be given. This is outside of our control.

Should you need support in completing the consent or have queries relating to this programme please contact the School Immunisation Service on VCL.immunisations@nhs.net or via 0300 247 0082.  

Please note should your query relate to missing the consent window for your school, the team will not be able to re-open consent for the booked date but you will be able to access the vaccine through a community catch up clinic booking - information will be distributed regarding this when available.  

Please do not contact the school if you have any queries as they will not be able to assist.

Best wishes,  

School Immunisation Service 

Virgin Care Limited  

Information about COVID-19 vaccines is available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine.