COVID-19 Family Vaccination Sessions for Essex families

Families in Essex to be offered COVID-19 vaccine family clinics.

The Essex vaccination programme is offering family sessions so families can be vaccinated together.

As of Monday 4 April, healthy 5-11-year-olds with no underlying health conditions can get two paediatric doses of the vaccine, which is smaller than doses given to over-12s. The second dose will be at least 12 weeks after the first.

If your child has COVID-19, the vaccine will still give them extra protection, but they will need to wait 12 weeks before being vaccinated.

You can book an appointment at any of Essex Partnership University NHS Trust’s vaccination centres by calling 119 or visiting the National Booking Service online.

Pam Sabine, EPUT Operational Director said: “We are pleased to now be able to offer the vaccine to 5-11 year olds at our vaccination centres, providing children with some protection. We are also supporting families to make an informed choice and running family sessions to help make things convenient and family-friendly.

“COVID is still active and case numbers are ticking up again, but at the same time we are all striving for some kind of return to normality.  The best way to achieve this is to get vaccinated, whether that’s yourself or your child.”

EPUT’s vaccination programme is offering family sessions at their vaccination centres over the next couple of weeks for anyone aged five and above. The centres can accommodate 5-11 year olds, 12-15 year olds, adults and over 75s.

Family groups can book a session for up to five people. Each family will be seated together in a pod and then vaccinated in turn. It is a family-friendly atmosphere and each family will be seen by the same health care professional.

Family sessions dates for EPUT vaccination centres in Mid and South Essex:

Wickford: The Lodge, Lodge Approach, Runwell, Wickford, SS11 7XX on Monday 11 April from 8.30am to 7.30pm

Southend: Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Victoria Ave, Southend-on-Sea SS1 9SB on Tuesday 12 April from 8.30am to 7.30pm

Thurrock: Alistair Farquharson Centre, Thurrock Community Hospital, Long Ln, Grays RM16 2PX on Wednesday 13 April from 8.30am to 7.30pm

Chelmsford: Chelmsford County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH on Thursday 14 April from 8.30am to 7.30pm

To book a family session please call the helpline 0344 257 3961. Unfortunately, we are unable to take walk in appointments at present.