A PRIMARY school pupil is eager to get his Covid-19 jab, in order to help protect his dad and the wider community.

Rupert Adair, from outside Oxford, underwent a successful kidney transplant five years ago, and is on daily medication which suppresses his immune system, so his body does not reject the new kidney.

This means he has reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases, including coronavirus, therefore is at higher risk of becoming unwell if infected.

Read also: Three more schools join Oxfordshire’s largest trust

His nine-year-old son Arthur will be one of more than 2,000 children to be invited by the NHS to get their first dose from this week.

He said: “I am happy I can do my bit to help protect daddy against Covid-19.

“Also, I didn’t really like homeschooling so I want to get the vaccine to help me if I do catch it, as I don’t want to get stuck at home again.”

Arthur’s mum Sarah added: “Arthur is really excited, he’s always been waving the NHS and vaccine banner. He’s over the moon.

“I’m really proud of him – Rupert had his transplant five years ago and I donated a kidney, which was an experience in itself.

“Rupert shielded initially during the pandemic, we were very careful about going out.

“Arthur knows we’ve had our vaccine and that can help things get back to normal.

“He’s always asked when he’ll get his vaccine, he understands the benefit of them.

“We had a conversation with him about vaccines and he made the decision himself.

“He knows it’s not just about us, but protecting everyone in the community.”

NHS inviting five to 11-year-olds for vaccine

Five to 11-year-olds will be invited by the NHS to get their first dose of the Covid vaccine, either because they themselves are in a clinical risk group or they live with someone who is immunosuppressed.

In Oxfordshire, there are more than 2,000 eligible children in this group, including those with diabetes or learning disabilities.

Dr David Chapman, clinical chair of Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We continue to see how vaccines give significant protection against severe illness from Covid, including the Omicron variant, so it is important that our youngest, who are clinically at risk or living with someone who is, get protected against the virus.

“Without the vaccine, they are at higher risk because of the conditions they have or they could also bring Covid home to their parents or family members who are vulnerable.”

Parents and guardians should wait for the NHS to contact them when it is their child’s turn to get the vaccine.

All eligible five to 11-year-olds will be offered two 10 microgram doses of the Pfizer vaccine eight weeks apart – a third of the amount used for adult vaccinations.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok

Got a story for us? Send us your news and pictures here

List an event for free on our website here