The first 16 and 17 year olds have now been vaccinated against covid in Sheffield.

Over 90 16 and 17 year olds attended the GP led clinic at St Columba’s Church to be vaccinated on Wednesday 11 August.

Last month the government announced that people in this age group will be offered the vaccination to protect more people from the virus. Currently 16 and 17 year olds are only being offered the vaccine via appointment from their GP but it is expected that the government will announce soon that they can use walk-in clinics too.

Rohan Hardy, 17, from Sheffield had his vaccine at the St Columba’s clinic on Wednesday. He had his vaccine so he didn’t have to isolate if he is a contact once he’s fully vaccinated and the rules change on 16 August. He said: “I had my vaccine because it gives me the freedom to do what I want and not have to isolate from the 16^th August if I’m a contact.”

The only vaccine currently approved for under-18s in the UK is Pfizer and 16 and 17 year olds will not need parental consent to have the vaccine.

Dr Tom McAnea, GP and Clinical Director for the primary care network running Wednesday’s clinic, said: “It’s great to see so many young people eager to have their vaccine. We can be confident that young people will get around 80% protection against hospitalisation from covid-19, following their first dose of the vaccine.

“This is really important now restrictions have been lifted and as young people start socialising with more people again. I’d encourage young people to take up the offer of the vaccination when invited.”

Clubs and venues are open again now but it’s important to remember covid hasn’t gone away. Cases in Sheffield are high and rising which is why we all need to be vaccinated. Soon you’ll need to be double vaccinated to visit nightclubs and venues with large crowds. To make sure they can attend venues in the future, young people are encouraged to get their jab.

NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is reminding people to have their vaccination as cases of covid continue to rise in Sheffield.

Alun Windle, Chief Nurse and Vaccination Lead at NHS Sheffield CCG said: “Thank you to everyone that’s had their vaccination so far. Vaccines are highly effective at preventing serious illness and death from the virus but they can also prevent long covid. Around 10,000 people in Sheffield have long covid, including plenty of young people. Long covid can cause over 200 symptoms including fatigue, anxiety, and impotence – avoid long covid by getting your jab.

“It’s really important to have both doses of the vaccine. Full protection kicks in around a week or two after the second dose. Get your second dose at 8 weeks to protect yourself and others.”

Find out when and where to get your vaccination here www.sheffieldccg.nhs.uk/Your-Health/covid-19-vaccine.htm.