The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that 5 to 11-year-olds who are either in a clinical risk group or are a household contact of someone of any age who is immunosuppressed should be offered two 10 micrograms doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with a minimum interval of eight weeks.
How will I know if my child is eligible?
GPs and hospital specialists have been asked to identify 5 to 11-year-olds who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.
For children eligible as a household contact, the person who is immunosuppressed will be written to directly.
Parents and guardians will be notified if their child should get the vaccine and told how they can book an appointment.
The NHS will be in touch with you in the coming weeks if your child is eligible, so please wait to hear and do not contact your GP.
Where will children be given their vaccine?
Vaccination services have been asked to make preparations to vaccinate this group of children.
It is expected that most children will get vaccinated at a site run by local GPs, a hospital or a specialist children’s centre. In cases where this isn’t possible, local arrangements will be in place with community pharmacies, vaccination hubs, housebound teams and in some cases at special schools.
Please be aware that parents will not be able to book their child’s vaccination appointment by calling 119 or using the national booking system.
Who is at higher risk from COVID-19 infection?
Children at serious risk from the complications of COVID-19 infection include those with:
• severe neurodisabilities
• immunosuppression – those whose immune systems don’t work as well and those who live with someone who is immunosuppressed (Children with very severely weakened immune systems, may need an extra (third) dose from 8 weeks after their second dose)
• profound and multiple or severe learning disabilities
• being on the learning disability register
• those with Down’s syndrome
• those with long term serious conditions affecting their body.
Your GP will know if they need to have the vaccine The vaccine is also recommended for those children living with people who have a weakened immune system (who are immunosuppressed).
This is to reduce the risk of them passing on the infection to their family members.
All these children and young people who are aged 5 to 11 years of age should have the COVID-19 vaccinations.
For more information please read:
- COVID-19 vaccination guide for parents of children 5 to 11 years of age https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1046821/COVID-19-guide-for-parents-of-children-at-risk-aged-5-11_years.pdf
- What to expect after your child’s COVID-19 vaccination leaflet https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1045901/COVID-19-what-to-expect-5-11years.pdf