Children aged 6 months will get the Covid-19 vaccine from next week. The HSE has announced that all children aged between six months and 4 years will be eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine from next week. The National Immunization Advisory Committee (NIAC) has recommended the vaccine for children in this age group, the HSE said in a statement. Appointments can be made on the HSE website from today.
Community vaccination centres across the country will start clinics from Monday, with many more clinics later in the week and next weekend. Vaccines are currently available only through community vaccination centres.
The HSE said it would update clinic details on a rolling basis and advise parents to check its website for updates on availability in the coming weeks. In some counties, including Mayo and Donegal, clinics will open from March 2.
The advisory group recommended protecting all children in this age group from severe illness, providing additional protection against the rare risk of serious illness from Covid, as well as reducing household transmission to the immunocompromised.
A parent or legal guardian must be present in person at the appointment and consent to their child receiving the Covid vaccine.
The HSE National Immunization Office said the health service is encouraging parents to familiarize themselves with the advice on their children's Covid-19 vaccine, along with information on the HSE website.
"Questions about children getting the Covid-19 vaccine can help parents make an informed decision by visiting the HSE website
Although serious illness from Covid-19 is rare in this age group, this vaccine provides additional protection, especially for children with medical conditions that are at high risk of severe Covid-19. A Comirnaty Pfizer vaccine (Pfizer/BioNTech) is administered to children aged six months to 4 years, in accordance with NIAC guidelines. The HSE said this age group would receive a smaller dose than the vaccine for children aged 5-11.
They need three doses of the vaccine with a three-week interval between the first and second doses and at least eight weeks between the second and third doses. It is also recommended that the Covid-19 vaccine be separated from the administration of other vaccines by 14 days.
If a child has been infected with Covid-19 and received their first dose of the vaccine, they can be vaccinated four weeks after they develop symptoms or test positive for the virus. However, for their vaccine to be most effective, it is recommended to wait six months. They can receive a second or third dose starting four weeks after developing symptoms or testing positive for Covid.
Parents of children with additional needs who may require an alternative appointment at a quieter time and parents who wish to make an appointment for more than one child at the same time can contact HSELive on 1800 700 700.
VISIT: https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/
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