Children aged 5-11 are now eligible for a Covid-19 vaccination to help protect them and those around them from the virus.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends that 5-11 year olds be offered the vaccine, which has been approved by the UK’s medicines regulator, to boost immunity and increase their protection against any future waves of Covid-19.

Children will be offered the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. Each vaccine is a third of the dose of vaccine that is given to older children and adults. Children need 2 injections of the vaccine usually 12 weeks apart. If your child has a condition that means they’re at high risk from COVID-19, or they live with someone who has a weakened immune system, they can get a 2nd dose from 8 weeks after they had their 1st dose.

Children should not attend a vaccination session if they have tested positive for Covid-19. They should wait for 12 weeks before having the jab. Children who are at increased risk, should wait 4 weeks from a positive test result, before having their vaccine.

Book or walk-in to get your vaccination:

• Appointments can be booked via the National Booking System or by calling 119.
• Walk-in to a vaccination clinics (no appointment required, limited vaccine availability). 

Parents or guardians should attend the appointment to give their consent.

Positive COVID-19 test result?

Most young people aged 5 to 17 years old need to wait 12 weeks to have a vaccination following a positive Covid-19 result. If you or your child is aged 5 to 17 years old and at high risk from COVID-19, or lives with someone who has a weakened immune system, they will need to wait 4 weeks. People aged 18 and over need to wait 4 weeks.

Healthy 5-11 year olds

Children aged  5-11 with no other  underlying  health  conditions  will be offered two paediatric (child) doses of the vaccine, with at least 12 weeks between doses. 

A paediatric dose is smaller than doses given to those aged 12 and over. If a child has had  Covid-19 they will still  get extra protection  from the vaccine, but they will need to wait 12 weeks before getting  vaccinated.

5-11 year olds at high risk

Children aged 5-11 year-olds who are more at risk from the virus or who live with someone who is immunosuppressed can get two paediatric (child) doses.

Children will be offered the Pfizer vaccine. Each vaccine is a third of the dose that is given to older children and adults, and your child needs 2 doses usually 8 weeks apart.

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
• 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.

For further information:

There is more information about the COVID-19 vaccination. Resources for children aged 5 to 11 years can be found here: GOV.UK (www.gov.uk):

• COVID-19: A guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
• What to expect after your child’s COVID vaccination – A guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11 years of age (publishing.service.gov.uk)
• COVID-19 vaccinations: A guide for parents of children aged 5-11 years of age at high risk (publishing.service.gov.uk)
• COVID-19 vaccination: consent form for children and young people or parents - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Frequently Asked Questions for parents of 5 to 11 year olds