Vulnerable children aged between five and 11 years old have become eligible for their first COVID-19 vaccine.

Some 500,000 children who are either most at risk of coronavirus or live with someone vulnerable are now able to get their jabs.

Joseph Aquilina, 45, a neurodiversity consultant from Thames Ditton, celebrated the “lucky” opportunity for his son Xavier, 11.

Xavier, who has benign rolandic epilepsy, said: “It is exciting to be able to be less vulnerable.”

‘It is not as stressful as you may think’

Asked what message he would tell other children about the vaccine, he said: “It is not as stressful as you may think, everyone here is quite nice and you get a sticker at the end.”

Mr Aquilina said his son “knows that we need to protect ourselves and everyone else around us so he decided himself to do it”.

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He said it was “lucky” that children most at risk can now be protected compared with other countries but added: “It should have been much done earlier.”

Children with diabetes, learning disabilities or immunosuppression offered jabs

Eligible children in the age group, which includes those with diabetes, learning disabilities or immunosuppression, are being offered two 10mcg Pfizer doses – a third of the amount used for adults eight weeks apart.

The NHS said local health care teams are already contacting those who are eligible and parents should wait to be contacted when it is their child’s turn.

Vaccine programme expanded

Two weeks ago the vaccine programme was expanded to 16 and 17-year-olds, allowing them to get a booster.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and deputy lead for the NHS vaccination programme, said: “We know vaccines give significant protection against severe illness from COVID – including the Omicron variant – so it is important that our youngest and most at-risk get protected.

“The NHS is now vaccinating the most at risk five to 11-year-olds, ensuring they get their vital dose of protection.

“Thousands of young people are still getting protected every day with millions vaccinated so far, and we are asking parents not to delay coming forward – as soon as the NHS contacts you, please come forward so the NHS can protect their youngest against the virus.”

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