Parents and guardians of all children aged between five and 11 will be able to register them for a Covid-19 vaccine from next Monday.
The registration for the vaccine of five- to 11-year-olds who are at higher risk from coronavirus began earlier this week and the first vaccination clinics involving children have taken place in hospitals.
From January 3rd, however, the Health Service Executive is opening registration to all children in the age group, and vaccination of this cohort is expected to begin shortly after.
Children will be given an appointment to get the first of two doses of the Pfizer vaccine at a mass vaccination centre; vaccination of children in this age group will not take place at walk-in vaccination clinics or pharmacies. The dose used is smaller than that for adults.
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The HSE said “where possible”, the child’s parent or legal guardian should go with their child. If consent was provided online in advance, it is possible for them to ask another adult to bring their child to the appointment.
Consent required
If consent was not given in advance, the child’s parent or legal guardian has to be present.
To register their child for a vaccine, parents or guardians need the child’s name and date of birth, parent’s mobile phone number and email address, the child’s PPS number and Eircode.
The parent or guardian is required to give consent for their child to get the vaccine. Those who register online will be sent a text message with a link to give consent before the vaccine appointment.
Those who cannot register online are advised to call the HSE Covid-19 helpline to register by phone instead.
“If you register over the phone, a parent or legal guardian will need to be at the appointment to give consent for the vaccine in person,” the HSE said.
The child getting the vaccine will also be asked if they want to get the vaccine at their appointment.
The HSE said a child’s vaccination should be delayed if they have had the disease in the previous four weeks, if they have symptoms or are restricting their movements.
