Tomorrow is last day for first 5-11 Covid vaccination

Just 400 doses have been administered to this age group so far, and 60 of those are now eligible for a second.

For those who miss the deadline, there may be a future programme introduced, but Health & Social Care has not confirmed if or when that might be.

‘The five to 11 years Covid vaccination programme is a short-term, non-urgent, programme that has been delivered in accordance with the guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation,’ said Alex Hawkins-Drew, vaccination programme lead.

‘This one-off programme was announced in February and offered the vaccine to children aged five to 11 who are not in a clinical risk group with the intention of increasing immunity of vaccinated individuals against severe Covid, in advance of a potential further wave of infections.’

While other age groups have been offered a far longer period to get their vaccines, with regular and frequent drop-ins available for convenience, primary school-aged children were only given a five-month window.

‘A specific vaccine is used for this part of the programme and we only use vaccinators who are trained in vaccinating younger children. Therefore we need to have defined clinics to offer this vaccine in, to ensure the appropriate vaccination and staff are available.

‘We will, of course, continue to follow the advice and guidance of the JCVI which may include a future programme for children aged five to 11 who are not in a clinical risk group.’

Second doses will be available every other Saturday afternoon at Raymond Falla House in St Martin’s until 26 November.

Appointments can be booked by calling the vaccination contact centre on 01481 220001.

. In Jersey, parents are being urged to get children over the age of five vaccinated before the school term starts, with walk-in clinics and bookings available for first and second doses.