Thousands of 12-15s in Fife to receive Covid-19 vaccines

Thousands of 12 to 15-year-olds in the kingdom will shortly receive an appointment to get their Covid vaccine, NHS Fife announced.

Appointment letters will be sent out in distinctive blue envelopes, with around 16,000 under-16s set to be offered an appointment.

Sessions will commence from October 2 across Fife, the health board has confirmed as it prepares to extend the vaccine rollout to those in the younger age group.

Advice from the UK’s four chief medical officers supported the extension of the vaccine to young people aged 12-15, with Nicola Sturgeon confirming the plan to offer the age group one dose of the Pfizer Covid jab.

NHS Fife said the appointments would be scheduled from October 2, with time slots from 3.30pm onwards on weekdays to avoid young people having to miss time at school.

The appointment letter will also include advice for parents or guardians around the consent.

Parental consent will not necessarily be required; however, NHS Inform says that young people should discuss the decision with those who look after them and “come to a decision together”.

Allocated appointment slots in Fife will also be extended to allow vaccinators to discuss the process of informed consent and address any questions, the health board said.

As well as appointments, drop-in clinics will also be open to this age group.

NHS Fife said it is working towards accommodating this age group from Wednesday.

“Work is already under way to reconfigure vaccination venues for the additional requirements necessary to vaccinate those aged 12-15 years,” they said.

Dr Esther Curnock, NHS Fife’s Deputy Director of Public Health, said: “All children and young people who are 12 years and older are now being offered Covid-19 vaccination.

“This offer is being made across the UK following a wider review by the four chief medical officers, which had additional medical contributions such as the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

“In Fife this cohort will be offered a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine, and these will be primarily delivered via scheduled appointments, rather than at drop-in clinics, to allow us to offer slightly longer appointments that will allow our young people, their parents or guardians the opportunity to discuss the process of informed consent and for our vaccinators to answer any questions or address any concerns that they might have.”

Thousands should expect letters to arrive soon, with details of their appointments.