Children and adolescents aged 6 months to 17 years who are more likely to become seriously ill from a SARS-CoV-2 infection, can get the COVID-19 vaccination. They can be vaccinated by the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) during the 2024 autumn round. The autumn round will be from 16 September to 6 December 2024.
COVID-19 vaccination for children
Can my child get a COVID-19 vaccination?
Most children who have a SARS-CoV-2 infection do not develop severe symptoms if they become ill. That is why most children do not need a COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination is still available for children with a high risk of severe illness from a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Children who have had the COVID-19 vaccination can still get a SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, after vaccination, it is much less likely that your child will become seriously ill or end up in hospital due to COVID-19.
You can make an appointment by calling 0800-07070.
Does my child need a referral to get the COVID-19 vaccination?
Children aged 17 years or younger who have a high risk of severe illness from a SARS-CoV-2 infection will be offered one COVID-19 vaccination in the autumn (as part of the annual vaccination round). You do not need a referral from a treating physician or paediatrician for this. This year’s autumn round will be from 16 September to 6 December 2024.
Sometimes one vaccine dose does not offer sufficient protection against severe illness. This could be the case if the child has lost protection after a bone marrow transplant, or if your child is young and has (probably) never had COVID-19 before. The treating physician or paediatrician will tell you if your child needs more than 1 (annual) COVID-19 vaccination. If that is the case, you will receive a referral letter with more information.
Which vaccine will my child receive?
Children under 12 years will receive an adjusted dose of the mRNA vaccine made by Pfizer/BioNTech:
- Children aged 6 months to 5 years receive a vaccine dose of 3 micrograms.
- Children aged 5 to 11 years receive a vaccine dose of 10 micrograms.
- Children aged 12 years and up receive a vaccine dose of 30 micrograms.
Which side effects could occur?
Side effects happen because a COVID-19 vaccination kickstarts your body’s immune system. The side effects usually occur in the first 2 days after the vaccination. They usually go away on their own within 1 to 2 days.
Side effects in children aged 6 months to 4 years:
- Pain at the injection site
- Drowsiness
- Irritability
- Fever
- Reddened skin at the injection site
- Decreased appetite
Side effects in children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years:
- Pain at the injection site
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- Reddened skin at the injection site
- Cold chills
In very rare cases, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart) may occur after vaccination. This very rare side effect of the vaccination has been observed more often among young adult males (aged 16-24 years). There are no known cases of myocarditis or pericarditis following vaccination among young children at this time.
FAQ about COVID-19 vaccination for children
Who will give the vaccination?
The COVID-19 vaccination is administered by the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs).
My child has a fever. Can my child still get the COVID-19 vaccination?
If the fever is higher than 38 C, wait to get the vaccination until your child is feeling better.
My child has also received a notice or already scheduled an appointment for another vaccination, such as the vaccinations against HPV or against DTaP and MMR. What should I do with the invitation for the COVID-19 vaccination?
There does not need to be any interval between the vaccinations. You can keep the appointment for the other vaccinations as well as the appointment for the COVID-19 vaccinations. Please note: the COVID-19 vaccination is administered by the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) at a COVID-19 vaccination location, not at the Well-Baby Clinic.
My child is not in a medical high-risk group. Can my child still get the COVID-19 vaccination?
Most children do not need a COVID-19 vaccination at this point, because they will not become very ill if they get COVID-19. If you would like your child to be vaccinated against COVID-19 anyway, for example because a family member is in vulnerable health, that is a possibility. To discuss your options, contact the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) on telephone number: 0800-7040.