Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what processes are in place to ensure that the National Booking system 119 gives out the correct advice, so that all children who have recently turned or are due to turn 12 can book their first covid-19 vaccination through that system.

The National Booking System was updated on 22 October 2021 to allow parents or guardians to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment for 12 to 15 year olds. This is available as soon as the child reaches 12 years of age. This complements the existing schools-based offer. All vaccination services provided through the National Booking System are required to have the appropriate staffing and resources in place to facilitate appointments for this age group.

NHS England and NHS Improvement issued guidance to all health systems in England initially on 19 October 2021, with updated guidance provided on 13 December 2021 in light of the updated advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on the offer of a second dose to all those aged 12 to 15 years old. Additionally, the 119 service has processes in place to ensure that updated advice is provided.

Children under the age of 12 years old are not eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. There is currently no COVID-19 vaccine authorised in the United Kingdom for children under 12 years old, therefore only children who are 12 years old on or before the date of vaccination can receive this dose.