Parents of children aged five to eleven who are considered at risk are being encouraged to get them vaccinated "without delay".
The Public Health Agency has issued a call for children who are classed in the clinical risk group or in a household with someone who is immunosuppressed to be offered the Covid vaccine.
While most children who contract the virus only suffer mild symptoms or have none at all, there are some with certain health conditions who are more at risk from it and more likely to go to hospital.
Dr Jillian Johnston, Joint Interim Assistant Director in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “There are approximately 25,000 children aged 5 to 11 year olds in Northern Ireland eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine and we are urging the parents of these children to take up the offer when invited.
“A new specially designed paediatric formulation of the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine has been approved for this age group and it’s given at a lower dose compared to that used in individuals aged 12 and above (10 micrograms compared with 30 micrograms). Like all children’s vaccines this approval was given following a robust review of data showing that it is safe and effective to use in this cohort.”
Chief medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride said: “I would urge all parents to take this opportunity to have your child vaccinated if they are eligible. It is the surest way to protect them from the effects of this virus.
“As we have seen in recent weeks our schools continue to reflect the high levels of transmission within the community at large. It is therefore vitally important we take advantage of every opportunity to protect our children, especially those who are particularly vulnerable”
Clinical trials have shown that this vaccine was highly effective at preventing Covid-19 in children, protecting them and also reducing the chance that they transmit the virus to others, including family members who may be more susceptible to severe consequences of the infection.
Dr Johnston continued: “In Northern Ireland the childhood vaccination programmes have consistently achieved high coverage and we hope that parents will be supportive of this roll out and get their child vaccinated. Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health.”
GPs will be writing to children eligible for the vaccine and their parents are being told to watch out for the letter and speak to a GP if it has not been received by early February.
Eligible children will either receive their vaccine via dedicated Trust vaccine clinics or in school for those children attending special schools.
Dr Johnston concluded: “COVID-19 has not gone away and cases of COVID-19 are increasing among children, getting vaccinated provides the best protection for both the child and their family. Eligible children will need two doses of the vaccine usually eight weeks apart to get longer-lasting protection. If your child has tested positive for COVID-19, you should wait 4 weeks from the test for your child to have their first or second vaccine.
“Parents should look out for a letter from their GP advising them of arrangements and if parents of eligible children have concerns they should speak to their GP or paediatrician.”
For further information for parents on the COVID-19 vaccine for eligible five to 11 year olds see: www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/covid-19-vaccination-guide-parents-children-aged-5-11-years-high-risk
Or to find out where your nearest COVID-19 vaccine clinic is see: vaccinations.covid-19.hscni.net/location-search
For the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.
