More than half of all 16 and 17 year olds in Sussex have now received their COVID-19 vaccination. Anyone who has not yet had the vaccine should come forward when they are invited – or attend a walk in NHS service if they are able.

In Brighton, the Moderna vaccine is available at the former Top Shop, Churchill Square, BN1 2RG, daily from 8.30am to 7.00pm or you can get Pfizer at Brighton Racecourse.

Teenagers aged 16 and 17 year are now eligible for one dose of the COVID vaccine, as part of the continued roll out of the vaccination programme.

Local vaccination services have been contacting 16 and 17 year olds who are registered with GP practices to invite them for appointments over the last two weeks. GPs are inviting them to attend vaccination clinics near where they live.

These sessions will continue over the coming weeks – and people are urged to attend when invited.

Please note the invite for a teenager’s vaccination may go to parents if that is the registered phone number on your GP record and will probably be issued by text message if there is a mobile number on record.

Walk in clinics are taking place to make it as easy as possible for teenagers to receive their vaccination if they are able to get to one of these sites.

These may be further afield for some communities but no appointment is needed and you can attend with friends and family.

Free transport is also available to anyone in Sussex who needs it to get to a walk-in vaccination site by calling, Tel: 01444 275 008.

If you would prefer an appointment, you can book one at Brighton Racecourse if you are 16 or 17, Tel: 0300 303 8060.

With schools and colleges re-opening next week after the summer, the NHS wants as many 16 and 17 year olds to be protected before term starts. NHS staff encourage anyone who is in this age group and who hasn’t had it yet come forward to attend a drop-in session at their local vaccination service.

While the rate of coronavirus cases has dropped to 270 cases for every 100,000 people in line with the national average, it remains high and schools are about to go back. There were 787 new covid-19 cases in the seven days to Monday (30 August), down from 1,184 in the previous week in Brighton and Hove.

It is essential that all eligible young people get vaccinated to protect themselves and elderly or clinically vulnerable young people.

You can read what happened to Mike, who has learning difficulties, when he went to Brighton Racecourse to have his jab here.

All eligible teenagers will be given the Pfizer or Moderna vaccination.

Walk in sessions for 16 and 17 year olds are available in Chichester and Eastbourne as well as Brighton. You do not need an appointment if you are 16 or 17 year’s old:

Every day

• Brighton, former Top Shop store, Churchill Square, BN1 2RG, daily 8.30am to 7.00pm, Moderna
• Chichester, Westgate Vaccination Centre, Via Ravenna, PO19 1RJ, daily 8.30am to 7.00pm
• Eastbourne, former Mothercare shop, Hampden Retail Park, Lottbridge Drove, BN22 9PD , daily 8.30am to 3.00pm

Tuesday 7 September 2021

• 08.30-19.00 – former Top Shop store, Churchill Square, Brighton, BN1 2RG
  For all adults, 1st and 2nd doses (2nd dose after 8 weeks), Moderna
• 10.30-14.30 – St Mary Magdalene Church, Coldean, Brighton BN1 9EL
  For all adults, 1st and 23nd doses (2nd dose after 8 weeks), Pfizer

More walk in sessions for 16-17 year olds are being confirmed and will be added to this website.

If you have a question about the Sussex COVID-19 vaccination programme please take a look at the NHS frequently asked questions.

Alternatively, you can contact the Vaccination Enquiries Team by email: vaccineenquiries@nhs.net, or phone them, Tel: 0800 433 4545 between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

An edited version of this article was published today by Brighton and Hove News.