Is the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine available for children at high risk?
About the vaccine. 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. Your child needs 2 injections of the vaccine usually 8 weeks apart. The vaccine has been tested to make sure it is as safe as possible.
At what age can children get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The NHS is offering coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines to children aged 5 to 11 years. Experts have advised that parents of all children aged 5 to 11 years should be offered the chance to have their child vaccinated.
Is there a COVID-19 vaccination for young people of 16 and 17 years of age in UK?
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid accepts advice from JCVI to offer COVID-19 vaccination to those aged 16 and 17.
Will home educated children be offered a COVID-19 vaccine?
Will children who are home educated be offered a vaccine as part of this programme? All children in the eligible age group who do not attend school, for example those who are home educated or living in secure accommodation should be offered the vaccine.
Do children need parental consent for the COVID-19 vaccine?
All parents or those with parental responsibility are asked for consent and will usually make this decision, jointly with their children. The information leaflet is addressed to the child (as the recipient of the vaccine) and encourages them to discuss the decision about the vaccine with their parents.
In secondary schools, some older children may be sufficiently mature to provide their own consent. This sometimes occurs if a parent has not returned a consent form but the child still wishes to have the vaccine on the day of the session. Every effort will be made to contact the parent to seek their verbal consent. The school has no role in this process.
Can the COVID-19 vaccine be given in schools without parental consent?
Schools can reassure parents that if a child does not have parental consent and does not want to get the vaccine they will not receive it. This will follow usual practice, even if the child is attending school on the day of vaccination.
Schools should also remind parents that school attendance is mandatory for all pupils of compulsory school age and that being in school is the best thing for their mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Can parents refuse to have their child vaccinated against COVID-19?
Yes. The vaccination is not mandatory. Parents will be asked to give their consent for the vaccination. Children may express a wish to have the vaccine and may have the capacity to provide informed consent themselves.
Who can get a spring booster for the coronavirus disease?
People aged 75 years and older, residents in care homes for older people, and those with weakened immune systems will be offered a spring booster of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. Appointments will be available from the National Booking Service shortly.
Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the booster vaccine?
Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine? The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19. It may take a few days for your body to build up some protection from the booster.
What are some common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in children?
Common side effects their arm feeling heavy or sore where they had the injection feeling achy or like they have the flu feeling tired having a headache
Is there a COVID-19 vaccine for the 17 year old in the UK?
At this time, the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine is the only vaccine authorised for persons aged 12 to 17 years in the UK. The Conditional Marketing Authorisation for Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 came into effect on 9 July 2021, with approval previously being provided under Regulation 174.
Can 16 year olds get the second COVID-19 vaccine?
JCVI has concluded that the balance of risks and benefits supports offering a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in persons aged 16 to 17 years who are not in an at-risk group.
How many doses of the COVID-19 vaccine do 16 year olds need?
The NHS is offering COVID-19 vaccine to some children and young people. This includes those aged 12 to 17 years who need 2 doses of the vaccine 12 weeks apart or 8 weeks apart if at increased risk. All young people aged 16 and 17 years and at risk children aged 12 to 15 will be offered a booster dose 12 weeks after the second dose.
How long after having COVID-19 can I get the spring booster vaccine?
If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. If you have had confirmed COVID-19 you should ideally wait 4 weeks before having your spring booster.
Are there two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for children?
About the vaccine 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 at greater risk of serious illness if they catch COVID-19 will need 2 doses of vaccine, 8 weeks apart.
All other children will be offered 2 doses of vaccine 12 weeks apart. The vaccine has been tested to make sure it is as safe as possible. You can read the Pfizer leaflet for further information. Side effects Common side effects Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short-term
How old do you have to be to get the AstraZeneca vaccine?
The vaccine is not recommended for persons younger than 18 years of age pending the results of further studies.
Can I develop immunity to COVID-19 after testing positive for PCR?
If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19, you will probably have developed some immunity to the disease. However, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will develop immunity, or how long it will last. It is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time after COVID-19 infection.
Can I get COVID-19 or other infections even if I am vaccinated?
Vaccinations are very effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19, however even if you are vaccinated there is a chance you might catch COVID-19 or another respiratory infection and pass it on to other people.
Can you go back to daily activities after having your COVID-19 vaccine?
You should be able to resume activities that are normal for you as long as you feel well. If your arm is particularly sore, you may find heavy lifting difficult. If you feel unwell or very tired you should rest and avoid operating machinery or driving.
Who is eligible for the COVID-19 spring booster vaccine in the UK?
Protection from the vaccine may be lower and may decline more quickly in these people. For this reason people aged 75 years and over, those in care homes and those aged 12 years and over with a weakened immune system are being offered the spring booster.
How can I get a COVID-19 booster vaccine in the UK?
All eligible adults can get the jab by booking online through the National Booking Service or by visiting their nearest walk-in vaccination centre.
What are ECDC’s recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccination?
ECDC strongly encourages those who are eligible for vaccination but have not yet been vaccinated to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in a timely manner according to national recommendations.
Is it mandatory to get a COVID-19 vaccination in a care home?
From 11 November 2021 care homes must only allow individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (or exempt) entry inside of a care home. This requirement will apply to those visiting a care home in a professional capacity unless exempt.
What are the common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Common side effects
- having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around 1 to 2 days after the vaccination
- feeling tired
- headache
- general aches, or mild flu like symptoms
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?
The MHRA confirmed on 9 September 2021 that the COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and AstraZeneca can be used as safe and effective booster doses. Following review of data for the COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna vaccine, the MHRA and CHM experts also concluded that this vaccine can be used as a safe and effective booster dose.
All vaccines and medicines have some side effects. These side effects need to be continuously balanced against the expected benefits in preventing illness. The COVID-19 Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine was evaluated in clinical trials involving more than 44,000 participants. The most frequent adverse reactions in these trials
