Parents will be able to book Covid-19 vaccinations online for their 12-15 year old children from the end of today (Friday) with appointments available as soon as tomorrow, the NHS has announced.

People will be able to go online and check the National Booking Service to see if their local site has appointments from tonight.

Locally, there are vaccination sites at Home Park, Plymouth, PL2 3DQ; Greendale Vaccination Centre, Woodbury Salterton, Exeter, EX5 1EW; English Riviera Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, TQ2 5LZ; and Barnstaple Leisure Centre, Seven Brethren Bank, Sticklepath, Barnstaple EX31 2AP.

NHS Devon’s chief nurse Darryn Allcorn said: ’Covid-19 rates are currently highest among people of school age in Devon. Many are passing the virus on to their parents and other family members.

’With so much Covid-19 currently in schools, we know that not everyone has been able to have the vaccine. We strongly recommend young people take up the opportunity to have the Covid-19 vaccination whether in school or at one of our local vaccination centres.

’It will reduce their chance of feeling very unwell and having further disruption to their education if they catch Covid. It will also help to protect family and friends.’

If a child has already been invited through their school, they do not need act on their invite unless parents wish to get their child vaccinated outside of school.

Parents and guardians will be advised to attend vaccination sites with their children if they want them to get jabbed outside of school hours and consent will be sought on the day.

Parents and young people are being asked to read the patient information in advance of arriving for their appointment. This can also be accessed online.

The NHS has said that it is a new option for parents who may want to get their child vaccinated during half term.