MORE vaccination clinics for 12 to 15-year-olds have opened in a borough.

They can now get their Covid-19 jab at vaccination sites in Blackburn with Darwen with an appointment through the NHS National Booking Service.

This is in addition to school-based vaccinations.

The centre at Blackburn Cathedral is offering the service among several new locations.
People can find the nearest vaccination service and book at https://www.nhs.uk/book-a-coronavirus-vaccination.

The move is an expansion of the existing programme, providing an extra option.

Parents and guardians are advised to attend vaccination sites with their children if they want them to get vaccinated outside of school hours and consent will be sought on the day.

Professor Dominic Harrison, Blackburn with Darwen’s director of public health, said: "This further rollout of the vaccine for this age group is fantastic news. Increasing the availability of the Covid vaccine to 12 to 15-year-olds is something I have been lobbying the government for since the summer when the Pfizer vaccine was approved for this age group.

"This will have an extra benefit for Blackburn with Darwen as we have the eighth youngest population aged under 16 in the UK. This age group getting vaccinated will not only help to protect our young people over the autumn and winter but will help to prevent family and community transmission of the virus as well.

"I want to reassure parents and carers that the roll-out of the Pfizer vaccine to 12 to 15 year olds has been judged as safe and effective.”