An unexpected visitor has welcomed the news that from Saturday 2 April, 5-11-year-olds will be able to book appointments for their Covid-19 vaccination at large-scale vaccination centres across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk. 

Julian the jabbing lion (AKA Andrew Lamb, Head of Clinical Operations for the large-scale vaccination centres run by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust) roared:

“Book your appointment – come along for your jab – and have fun while you’re here!  

“You can join in with I-spy and spot the difference games, and colour in a unique image created by world renowned illustrator Sir Quentin Blake featuring himself and local author Dr Peter Rowan (one of our fantastic vaccinators). You’ll also receive a certificate and a sticker, and you can take a photo using our selfie-frames to show your mates how brave you’ve been.  I’ll be visiting lots of our centres on different days so come and say hi if you see me!”

Emily, Andrew’s 8-year-old daughter, is also playing a starring role as the voice of the lead character in an animated cartoon explaining what children can expect to happen when they come for their jab. Emily said:

“It was great fun being the voice of ‘cartoon’ Emily and I hope it helps other children get ready to have their vaccine and talk to their mum or dad, or the kind people at the vaccine centres, about any questions they have.” 

You can view the animation here: https://vimeo.com/671102692/aaca5f4378

Dr David Vickers, Medical Director, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, added:

“As a paediatrician, I welcome the expansion of the vaccination programme to younger children.  To date, 5-11-year-olds in at risk categories have been able to access a vaccination and can continue to do so.  From 4 April, all 5-11-year-olds can do the same.  We know vaccines give significant protection against severe illness from covid, so it is important that our youngest and most at-risk get protected.

“As the fastest and most successful vaccination programme in NHS history continues, parents and guardians of children aged 5-11 can book their child’s first appointment via the National Booking Service at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccine, with a second dose available 12 weeks later. Vaccinations for 5-11-year-olds not in at risk groups are not available on a walk-in basis.”

Cath Byford, Chief Nurse at NHS Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

“It’s fantastic to see fun initiatives popping up across Norfolk and Waveney to help children and young people come forward for these important vaccinations. Getting vaccinated against Covid-19 is the best thing you, and those in your family, can do to protect one another from the virus which can make some people very poorly. Thank you to everyone who has been jabbed and for bringing youngsters to get protected too.”

The Trust is grateful to Ian Greenfield, Owner of Production Bureau in Swardeston, Norwich for kindly loaning our vaccination team the lion costume and donating 5000 ‘Brave as a lion’ stickers. 

Commenting on this initiative, Ian Greenfield, said: 

“We’re proud to support the roll out of the vaccination programme locally and hope that Julian the Lion provides some fun distraction for the children during their visit and that they wear their stickers with pride.”

Editors’ notes:

Dr Peter Rowan is the author of, amongst many publications, “Ask Doctor Pete” (also published under the title "Can You get Warts from Touching Toads”) which was illustrated by Sir Quentin Blake. Quentin kindly donated two illustrations to the local vaccination centres for display and or colouring in by local children. 

• Text in first illustration reads: “This is me, Quentin Blake.I got vaccinated straightaway and now I’m unstoppable and I’m not giving anything unpleasant to my friends”.
• Text in second illustration reads: “Written by Doctor Peter Rowan who’s also good at vaccinating people and illustrated by Quentin Blake who is also good at getting vaccinated”.

Notes on vaccinations for 5-11-year-olds

All 5-11-year-olds will be offered two 10 microgram doses of the Pfizer vaccine; a third of the amount used for adult vaccinations.

Parents and guardians are asked to attend the vaccination centre with their children and are asked to read the patient information available.

Children aged 5-11 who are in a clinical risk group or who live with someone who is immunosuppressed can continue to access their first dose of the covid vaccine on a walk-in basis or via a booked appointment.  Eligible children include those with diabetes, immunosuppression, learning disabilities, and other conditions as outlined by the UK Health Security Agency in the Green Book.  Eligible children in this cohort will get a second dose eight weeks after their first dose and can’t receive any vaccination until four weeks after a positive test for coronavirus.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough large-scale vaccination centres

Large-scale vaccination centres are open seven days a week 8.30 am to 4.00 pm and some late evenings at the following locations:

• Horsefair Shopping Centre, Wisbech, Cambs PE13 1AR 
• The Grafton Centre, Cambridge CB1 1PS
• The Eatons Community Centre, Eaton Socon, St Neots PE19 8ES
• The Oaktree Centre, 1 Oak Drive, Huntingdon PE29 7HN
• Queensgate Shopping Centre, PeterboroughPE1 1NT
• Chesterton Indoor Bowls Centre, Logan’s Way, Chesterton, Cambridge CB4 1BL

Further information including later evening openings is available at www.thevaccinators.co.uk

Norfolk large-scale vaccination centres

Large-scale vaccination centres are open seven days a week 8.30 am to 4.00 pm and some late evenings at the following locations:

• Paddock Road Surgery, Paddock Road, Harleston IP20 9AT
• Connaught Hall, Station Rd, Attleborough NR17 2AS
• Shakespeare Barn, King's Lynn Arts Centre, King Street, Kings Lynn PE30 1HA
• Norwich City Council HQ, St Peters Street, Norwich NR2 1NH
• Beetley Ward, Dereham Hospital, Northgate, Dereham NR19 2EX

Information on evening openings is available here: https://apps.norfolk.gov.uk/WalkIn/Form/AllAvailableClinics

Contact:

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust’s Communication Team via ccs.communications@nhs.net