Has anyone managed to get their eligible u11 dc vaccinated?

[RunAwayNow]

I'm interested to find out if anyone has managed to successfully navigate vaccinations for eligible children as it feels like a quagmire of confusion.

We had a general letter from the NHS (not from GP or consultant) saying dd6 'should' be eligible for a covid vaccination. She has a progressive neuromuscular condition which affects her lungs so I think this is right but 'should' adds a layer of uncertainty.

It said GP would contact us. 2 weeks later after no contact I call GP and they have no idea whether she's eligible or how she can get the jab. They suggest I call 119. They are no use, also can't tell me whether she's eligible but can tell me about local walk ins where they 'might' agree to do it. I contact her consultant who says he doesn't know about eligibility but he thinks it's probably a good idea.

Nearest centre is 20 miles away which I will happily go to, but not if they will turn us away because she doesn't have a GP or consultant letter. Does anyone know if the general NHS letter is enough proof for a vaccination centre to do a child jab?

I've found it very similar to you.

GP have been given 20 vaccinations and so are vaccinating the first 20 on their list of eligible 5-11s, which does not include DD.

They said to call 119 or could not help as there are no walk - ins doing 5-11s and said to call the nearest walk - in and see when they were doing 5-11s. I did this and they said that my GP should be able to tell me which GP surgery in our PCN (primary care network) are doing the 5-11s and if they couldn't say then I needed to call the CCG.

DD goes to a special school and they are doing a vaccination session there in March for 5-11s but DD has severe health anxiety and will not have the vaccination without me and I am due to be in hospital that day having surgery so can't go in.

I'm waiting for a call back from the GP, but not holding my breath...

I got a text saying ds (10) would be eligible soon, on Tuesday. On Wednesday my GP surgery called me to book him in tomorrow mornings Childrens clinic. They were only doing it tomorrow. I wonder if it might be lack of availability in scheduling as it's different to boosters and full doses for adults so the clinics are few and far between.

The letter should be sufficient enough its not like they're being sent out to every 5-11yo in the UK.

@Wellbythebloodyhell

The letter should be sufficient enough its not like they're being sent out to every 5-11yo in the UK.

sufficient enough for... what, though? We've got the letter too - though we're stuck at the moment as DD has just had Covid so we have to wait another 10 weeks. But nobody has a clue who/when/where this will be taking place anyway... it's very frustrating.

I got a call from the gp and booked DS(5) in to a children clinic last week. The clinic booked us in for the second dose at the beginning of April.

In my area you need an invite - you get a text with a link to book, you aren’t ‘supposed’ to use the generic NHS booking link. The CCG is handling it and checking around all vulnerable 5-11s at the moment and calling up families to check whether they’ve booked/received info.

sufficient enough for... what, though?

Sorry, sufficient enough for 119/your local CCG/ GP to book you an appointment at your nearest hub vaccinating under 12s or for any walk in centres that are equipped to vaccinate u12s.
The u12s require a smaller dose, needle and more qualified staff than adults which is why not all walk in clinics will be able to vaccinate the younger ones. The CCG I work for have this week opened up clinics for this category, at different venues to where we vaccinate the adults. I'm sure if you haven't heard about any in your local area just yet there will be plans being made behind the scenes to deliver it soon, it does take more organising than adults and focus at my local CCG has been on CEV 4th dose/boosters previous to this

Thanks all. Sounds like different areas are taking different approaches. I hadn't thought of contacting the CCG though - will see if I can find out plans locally.

I contacted my GP last Friday as hadn’t heard anything for my vulnerable DS and have been desperate to get him vaccinated. GP found Ds had somehow not made it on the list so I was to expect a call in next few weeks for an appointment. Unfortunately he contracted covid at school and has been off all week with it- but he is absolutely fine (not even a sneeze!) but I got it too and feeling pretty rubbish!

Update: I've finally got an appointment for dd to have the vaccination. It involved leaning heavily on friends and family members involved in the vaccination service. Glad we've got it sorted but realise that doesn't help anyone who doesn't have contacts.

Dr Deepti Gurdasani, CEV epidemiologist, hasn't even been able to get it for her six year old until today and she had to use contacts too.

I feel at this point our kids will be part of the wider rollout to children. Although if the speed at which our kids have been seen is anything to go by that might not be before start of autumn term

Another update. Dd had her jab today after lots of strings were pulled. The vaccination centre we went to isn't on the official list to provide vaccines for eligible 5-11s yet but they said they were gearing up for a push. So hopefully the roll out to children on the vulnerable list is starting to gather pace.

She didn't find the jab painful, doesn't have a sore arm and is feeling good (just in case anyone is wondering about early side effects!)

It sounds like it varies massively by area, I had a text from my GP surgery to book my 10yo son in, and he had it 2 weeks ago at our local vaccine centre.

I hope those of you still waiting are able to book your DC in soon.

"DD has just had Covid so we have to wait another 10 weeks"

@changingstages our vaccination centre phoned to book DDs appointment just after she'd had Covid and they said if a child is clinically vulnerable they only have to wait 4 weeks after having Covid before they can be vaccinated.