Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the uptake of the covid-19 vaccine for children aged between five and 12 years old.

Local vaccination sites are providing longer appointment times for families to allow greater flexibility and an opportunity to discuss the vaccination process. Sites are also ensuring that facilities can accommodate families and young children.

We are continuing to provide information to the parents and carers of eligible children and issued invitations explaining how vaccination appointments can be made through the National Booking Service. The Service can be accessed online or via 119, which offers flexibility and a larger number of vaccination sites for children. Alternatively, COVID-19 vaccines can also be accessed at walk-in sites without an appointment.