COVID-19 vaccinations for children and young people

Children and young people aged 5-17 are now being offered two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. You can find out more about the vaccine and vaccine appointments at the NHS Inform website.

In this video, Dr Chris Kidson, a consultant at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow addresses some of the questions families may have about vaccinating 5 to 11-year-olds against COVID-19.

My child is aged 5-11 - will they be offered the vaccine?

In December 2021, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) which regulates vaccines for use in the UK, approved a paediatric dose for vaccination of children aged 5-11. Therefore clinics will use a paediatric formulation of the Pfizer vaccine.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) now advise that all children aged 5-11 should be offered the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. The two paediatric doses should be offered with an interval of at least 12 weeks between doses.

NHS Scotland will be sending out appointment letters to parents and carers from 19 March 2022. Older children will be invited first and siblings will be invited together wherever possible. This will allow for second doses to be delivered before the start of the new school year, where appropriate. The letter will let you know what to do if you need to cancel or rearrange the appointment. You don’t need to book an appointment.

Children aged 5-11 who have specific medical conditions placing them at greater risk from COVID-19, or who are a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed, are already being vaccinated. All children in this group should be offered two paediatric doses of Pfizer with an interval of 8 weeks. Those who had severe immunosuppression at the time of their first and second dose should be offered a third primary dose, ideally 8 weeks after the second dose.

All parents and carers of children in this category should have been contacted about vaccination. A leaflet has been made available in advance of appointments with answers to questions that parents and carers might have.

You can find out more about vaccines for 5-11 year olds on the NHS Inform website.

What happens when my child goes for their vaccine?

This short film from Public Health Scotland explains what happens when you take your child for their vaccine. You might want to watch this together, so they know what to expect.

Why are 5-11 year olds now being offered the vaccine?

This recommendation has been carefully considered by clinical experts, with the benefits of vaccinations outweighing the risks. All those eligible are encouraged to take up the offer of a vaccine.

In formulating the current advice for children aged 5-11, the JCVI considered evidence on:

potential direct health benefits and harms
indirect educational impacts of vaccination
wider anticipated opportunity costs.

Vaccination of all children aged 5 to 11 is not expected to have an impact on the current wave of Omicron infection, however the potential benefits from vaccination will apply mainly to a future wave of infection: the more severe a future wave, the greater the likely benefits from vaccination.

My child is aged 12-17 - will they be offered the vaccine?

All children and young people in this age group will receive two doses of the Pfizer vaccine and will receive the second dose 12 weeks after the first dose.

The JCVI advise certain children aged 12-15 and all young people aged 16 to 17 should be offered a booster of the Pfizer vaccine at least 12 weeks after completion of their primary course.

The JCVI also recommend that children and young people in the following groups should be offered a normal booster dose of Pfizer no sooner than 3 months after completion of their primary course:

children and young people aged 16 to 17 years
children and young people aged 12-15 who are in a clinical risk group or who are a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed
children and young people aged 12-15 who are severely immunosuppressed and who have had a third primary dose.

All 12-15 year olds can attend drop in clinics to get their second dose, as long as it’s been at least 12 weeks since their first dose appointment.

Any 16-17 year old who has had 2 primary doses and now or is soon reaching the 12 week gap can now come forward to drop-ins, book online or via the national call centre.

You can find out more about vaccines for 12-17 year olds on the NHS Inform website.

Do I have to give my consent for my child to get the vaccine?

It’s important that you and your child both know what’s involved with getting the vaccine. You and your child will be supported in your decisions, whether your child accepts or doesn’t accept the offer of vaccination.

Children should make a supported choice, that they and you, their parents or carers, feel comfortable with. Because of this, you can come to their appointment with them to talk about the benefits and risks of vaccination.

A leaflet has been made available in advance of appointments with answers to questions that parents and carers might have. Vaccinators and clinicians will be able to tell you more and answer your questions, to ensure that you both understand and agree to everything before the vaccination takes place.

Are there any side effects of the vaccine?

All medicines, including vaccines, are tested to make sure they’re safe and effective before they’re allowed to be used. Your child may have a few side effects from the vaccine, such as a fever, but these shouldn’t last long. If this happens, make sure they drink plenty of water so they don’t get dehydrated, and give them paracetamol if necessary. You can find out more about treating the side effects of the vaccine on the NHS Inform website.