Children from age of 5 can now be vaccinated against Covid-19

A Covid vaccine

All children aged 5 to 11 years old can now get a Covid vaccination, following updated JCVI guidance.

NHS staff have already been vaccinating children under 12 who have medical conditions that put them at increased risk from Covid-19 or who live with someone with a weakened immune system, and more than half of 12 to 15-year-olds have also come forward for a jab.

Following updated JCVI guidance, the NHS made the vaccine available for all 5 to 11s to reduce the risk of children falling seriously ill with the virus and help protect against potential future waves of Covid-19.

The vaccination is available for:

• First vaccination for children aged 5 and over
• First and second vaccinations for young people aged 12 and over
• Booster for people aged 18 and over
• Spring booster for people aged 75 and over.

NHS staff and volunteers are working hard to make the experience as comfortable as possible for children, and the rest of the family; at Rochdale Infirmary there is a ‘bee-themed’ clinic.

Christine Khiroya, nurse consultant with lead responsibility for screening and immunisation at Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Vaccines remain our best defence against Covid-19 and will reduce the risk of children – and adults - becoming seriously ill if they do contract this virus.

“As Covid cases are rising in the community, I’d encourage parents of children aged 5 to 11 to read the NHS information available and book a vaccine to make sure your family and loved ones are protected. And to take the opportunity to get everyone else in the family up to date with the vaccines needed.”

Parents and guardians are encouraged to read the patient and consent information in advance of booking their child’s appointment and will be asked to provide consent for their child’s vaccination on the day. 

The JCVI has advised that all children aged between 5 to 11 will be offered two 10 microgram doses, a third of the strength given to those over the age of 12, of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine (Comirnaty®) with an interval of at least 12 weeks between doses (or 8 weeks for children who have medical conditions that put them at increased risk from Covid-19 or who live with someone with a weakened immune system).

If a child has had a confirmed Covid-19 infection and is not at high risk from the virus they need to wait 12 weeks before they can have a vaccine. Children with a weakened immune system should wait four weeks.

Families can secure a vaccine slot in a number of ways:

• Booking the National Booking Service – on the NHS website or by calling 119. 
• At a walk-in via www.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab. The online finder shows which walk-in sites can vaccinate which age groups.
• At other local sites, details of which can be found at: www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/