Children aged 5 years and older can be offered 2 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. They can either get the vaccine at school, book at a vaccination centre or pharmacy or find a walk-in centre. For more information click here.
From April 2023, children 6 months to 4 years in a clinical risk group can also be offered the Pfizer COVID vaccine. For more information click here.
Side-effects. Like all medicines, the COVID-19 vaccine can cause side-effects, but not everyone gets them. Most common side-effects are mild and should only last 1 – 2 days. They include sore arm from the injection, feeling tired and achy, a headache, flu-like symptoms. If they occur children should rest and can have a dose of paracetamol. Very rare side effects include chest pain, shortness of breath, pounding heart in which case the child should go to A&E or call 999.
Allergies to the COVID-19 vaccines are very rare. Previous food or drug allergy, or a family history of vaccine allergy is not a contra-indication to the child having the vaccine. The only children that should avoid further COVID-19 vaccination until they have received advice from a children’s allergist are those that have had an allergic reaction to a previous COVID-19 vaccine. For a latest update click here.