COVID-19 vaccination is now being offered to 16 and 17 year olds across the Black Country.

16 and 17-year-olds across the Black Country and West Birmingham will now be offered one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, following the latest guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Those eligible will be contacted by their GP to arrange an appointment and parental consent will not be required to be vaccinated.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are delighted to be able to invite 16 and 17-year-olds to get their lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine.

“We know that the vaccine is the best way out of this pandemic and want everyone to have the opportunity to get protected. This latest expansion in the vaccination programme brings us one step closer to achieving this.

“Those eligible in this latest age group will be contacted by the NHS when they can book their appointment, so please wait until you hear from us.

“While COVID-19 is typically mild or asymptomatic in most young people, it can be life threatening for some. Getting the vaccine is the best way to not only protect yourself, but also your loves ones and the local community, so I would encourage everyone to do their bit and come forward when contacted.”