Coronavirus: News from our partners – Jungle-themed vaccination clinic helps put children at ease

News from our partners NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Service

A COVID-19 vaccination clinic has been transformed into a mini jungle in order to put young children at ease when they come for their jab.

The Vaccination Centre at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) in Oswestry has had its own injection – of colour – in time to make the clinic more appealing to younger children, now that children aged 5 to 11 are being offered their COVID-19 vaccine.

Murals of animals have been supplied by the Welshpool Print Group, kindly funded by The League of Friends to RJAH’s charitable funds, to brighten up the walls and make the vaccination bay more fun for the children.

Completion of the makeover comes as parents and carers of five to 11-year olds in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin can now book a COVID-19 vaccine for their children.

The majority of vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds will take place at local vaccination centres or community pharmacies outside of school hours and are available to book through the online booking service or by calling 119.

The NHS will also be sending invites over the next few weeks to let parents and guardians know they can now book in for a vaccine and some people will be invited by their GP teams.

Emmy Jones, aged 11, and her younger brother, Jack, 6, from Ellesmere, had their COVID-19 vaccines at the RJAH Vaccination Centre.

Pictured are Emmy Jones, aged 11, and her younger brother, Jack, 6, from Ellesmere, stood in front of the jungle-themed mural at the RJAH Vaccination Centre.

Emmy and Jack’s mum, Kerry Jones, said:-

“I brought along their older sister for her second dose today and the staff here let me know that my younger two could have theirs later on in the day at a special clinic for them.

“I feel relieved now that Emmy and Jack have had theirs too; it means they’ll have some protection – and it also means other people are protected too.

“It was lovely to see the new, colourful mural as well. I know it will relax some of the younger ones, who might be a little nervous – and while they’re having their jab, they can instead focus on counting the number of animals on the wall, rather thinking about what’s happening.”

Louise Brennan, Deputy Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said:-

“The jungle-themed bay at the RJAH Vaccination Centre is already making a real difference to the experience children and their parents are having when they come for their jabs.

“It serves as a welcome distraction, helping to put the children at ease when they’re having their vaccine. A big thank you to the League of Friends at RJAH for funding this wonderful transformation.”

Victoria Sugden, League of Friends Charity Director, added:-

“The League of Friends at RJAH and our volunteers have been incredibly keen supporters of the Vaccination Centre since it was first opened.

“We always do anything we can to help improve patients experience at RJAH and obviously it couldn’t be more important to make children feel welcome and comfortable when they come for their vaccinations.”

Further information about who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine can be found here.