COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 5+
Wednesday, 20 July 2022
The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are safe and effective. 2 doses are being offered to children aged 5 to 15 to give them the best protection against COVID-19.
Why children are being offered the COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 is usually mild in most children, but it can make some children unwell.
1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine gives good protection against your child getting seriously ill. But 2 doses gives stronger and longer-lasting protection against future COVID-19 variants.
Vaccinating children can reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection to your child and those around them.
When children will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine
Children can get a 1st dose of the vaccine from the day they turn 5.
Most children can get a 2nd dose from 12 weeks after they had their 1st dose.
If your child has a condition that means they're at high risk from COVID-19 or they live with someone who has a weakened immune system, they can get a 2nd dose from 8 weeks after they had their 1st dose.
If your child is aged 12 to 15 and at high risk from COVID-19, they can also get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if they had a 2nd dose at least 3 months ago.
If your child is aged 5 or over and had a severely weakened immune system when they had their first 2 doses, they can get an additional primary dose (3rd dose) of the COVID-19 vaccine.