Parents across B&NES can now arrange for their child to receive a coronavirus vaccine outside of school.

Previously, vaccinations for 12 to 15-year-olds had only been available in school through Virgin Care’s immunisation services team.

However, parents can now use the online National Booking Service to arrange to have their child vaccinated at Bath Racecourse.

Out-of-school vaccinations have been introduced to coincide with the start of the half-term holidays, and will continue to be available throughout November.

Children unable to make it to one of the sites offering vaccines for 12 to 15- year-olds will still be able to get vaccinated at school, with the school-based programme resuming after the half-term holidays.

Gill May, Director of Nursing and Quality, said: “Cases of coronavirus have been rising rapidly in some of our local areas and while we know children are less likely to become seriously ill from Covid-19, we also know they can potentially spread the virus to others, some of whom may be particularly vulnerable.

“This is why vaccinating our young people is every bit as important as vaccinating those who are much older, and I’d encourage all parents to speak with their children about having the vaccine, either at one of the vaccination centres or at school after the half-term break.”

Appointments for children at the larger vaccination centres will be limited each day, and families are asked not to attend a site as a walk-in without a confirmed booking.

The National Booking Service remains open for any person needing to arrange a first or second vaccination, or a third booster dose available to all over the age of 50, as well as health and social care workers and those aged 16 and over with an underlying health condition.

The National Booking Service can be accessed by visiting: www.nhs.uk or over the phone by calling 119. Information about the local rollout of the coronavirus vaccine, including details of vaccination centres at: www.bswccg.nhs.uk.