Information about vaccines for children and young people

This information was last updated on 07 April 2022. Please note content correct at the time of update. For the latest guidance and advice visit the links below:

Information about coronavirus, vaccines & schools

Covid-19 vaccinations for 5-11 year olds

  • Children aged 5-11 with no other underlying health conditions will be offered two pediatric (child) doses of the vaccine, with at least 12 weeks between doses. A pediatric dose is smaller than doses given to those aged 12 and over.
  • If a child has had COVID-19 they will still get extra protection from the vaccine, but they will need to wait 12 weeks before getting vaccinated.
  • Those 5-11 year-olds who are more at risk from the virus can already get two pediatric (child) doses, eight weeks apart, and their GP or hospital specialist should be in touch to arrange this.
  • ​Parents will receive information offering them the chance to make an appointment for their child to be vaccinated.
  • These appointments will be available from April over the Easter holidays and further slots will become available later.
  • Update 22 April 2022: We are aware of an issue on the National Booking Service website which is preventing sites in Northumberland offering these vaccines from showing up. Work is underway to address this issue. An update will be published on our social media channels and on this page once we have been notified that the problem has been resolved.
  • Click here for more information.
  • Click here to make an appointment.

 

Covid-19 vaccinations for 12-15 year olds 

  • Children aged 12 to 15 years will be offered a COVID vaccination at a session in school.
  • They can also arrange to have their 1st or 2nd dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination site using the link below.
  • Book a vaccination here.

Please note: Consent to treatment is an important part of the process. 12 to 15 years will need to be accompanied by a consenting parent or guardian. 


 

Advice for children aged 12 to 15 years old and their parents or guardians

A set of COVID-19 vaccination resources for children and young people are available on GOV.UK in a variety of languages, Braille and Easy Read. These resources are to help children, young people and their parents or guardians make a decision about whether to get vaccinated.
 
There's also a list of pre-screening questions on GOV.UK to help you and your child consider what is likely to be asked at your appointment. You do not need to complete this before you go.
 
 

 

Children formally considered to be Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV)

Children who were previously considered to be particularly vulnerable, clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV), and high or higher-risk of severe COVID-19 are not advised to shield. This is based on expert medical advice. All children and young people who were previously considered to be Clinically Extremely Vulnerable should attend their education setting unless they are one of the very small number of children and young people under paediatric or other specialist care who have been advised by their GP or clinician not to attend.  
 
Schools have appropriate arrangements in place to comply with national guidance on supporting pupils at school with medical conditions.  

COVID-19 guidance on symptoms, testing and isolating

Keeping our families, children and young people safe is a priority. Please see below for more information on symptoms, testing and self-isolation..

We know that parents and schools are finding it difficult to work out which symptoms warrant testing for COVID-19. We acknowledge that this is not straightforward, and it is a really challenging time for parents and schools. Outlined below are the most common COVID-19 symptoms. 



COVID-19 symptoms

If your child (or anyone in the household) has any of the main coronavirus symptoms listed below they need to self-isolate and get a test.

Only children with any of these symptoms need a COVID-19 test: 
 
  • New continuous cough 
Your child needs tested if they have a cough that has lasted for more than an hour, if they have had three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours, or if they are coughing more than usual. The cough is usually dry.
 
  • Fever/high temperature
A high temperature is feeling hot to the touch on your chest or back. If a thermometer is available take the temperature – a high temperature is 37.8C or higher. Your child may feel warm, cold or shivery.
 
  • Loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste
This means your child has noticed they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
 

Testing

  • The end of free universal testing for most people did not mark the end of testing altogether.
  • Regular testing is still advised for specialist special educational needs and disability (SEND) settings, alternative provision, and SEND units in mainstream schools or the equivalent in colleges.
  • All settings may be advised by their local public health team to recommend lateral flow tests to manage an outbreak.
  • Although testing is no longer be recommended, staff in education and childcare settings and students and pupils can still access test kits by ordering them online or through their local pharmacy. 
  • Click here to access the Department for Education's Education blog for more information.
  • Further information on testing can be found here.

Free School Meals

Free School Meals are still available for those who are eligible.

This information was last updated on 16 July 2021.

Free are still available for those who are eligible. If you as a parent or carer are unsure what is in place for your child(ren) please contact their school directly. If you are not in receipt of free school meals already but think your child(ren) may be eligible, please apply for free school meals here. 

If you're not eligible and feeling financial pressures we're here to support, please contact Northumberland Communities Together.

Phone the Northumberland Communities Together Response Hub on 01670 620015 9am-6pm, 7 days a week
Email: NCT@northumberland.gov.uk

DfE COVID-19 Device Scheme

Please see our resource below for useful websites and guides for students, parents/carers, and professionals who work with young people:

Please click here for more information about the DfE COVID-19 Device Scheme. 

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