Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine for children aged 5 to 15
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 has COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19
If your child has a confirmed COVID-19 infection and is not at high risk from COVID-19, they need to wait 12 weeks before they can have a COVID-19 vaccine.
If they are at high risk, or they live with someone who has a weakened immune system, they should wait 4 weeks.
This starts from the date their symptoms started or the date of their positive test result, whichever was earlier.
If your child has symptoms of COVID-19, but has not had a test, they should wait until their symptoms are better before they get a COVID-19 vaccine. You can talk to a healthcare professional at the vaccination site about this.
How children can get the COVID-19 vaccine
Parents will get information offering them the chance to make an appointment for their child to be vaccinated.
Children aged 5 to 15 can:
- book their vaccination appointments online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy
- find a walk-in vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment
- wait to be contacted by a local NHS service such as their GP surgery to arrange their appointments
Some children may still be offered a 1st and 2nd dose of the vaccine locally through their school until the end of April 2022.
If your child is at high risk from COVID-19
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:
- book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online – you can book their 1st dose appointment online but they’ll need to go to a walk-in vaccination site to get their 2nd dose in 8 weeks
- find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment
- wait to be contacted by a local NHS service such as their GP surgery to arrange their appointments
Someone at the vaccination site will talk to you and check if your child is eligible.
It can help to bring a letter, text message or email from a GP or hospital specialist confirming that your child is eligible for an early 2nd dose or booster dose.
If you’re not sure if your child is at high risk, see who is at high risk from COVID-19.
Booking vaccination appointments online
You can book your child’s 1st dose online from the day they turn 5.
You can usually book their 2nd dose from 24 hours after they had their 1st dose.
You’ll be offered appointment dates from 12 weeks after their 1st dose.
Getting the vaccine at a walk-in vaccination site
Your child can get a 1st dose at a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site from the day they turn 5.
They can get a 2nd dose if it’s been 12 weeks since their 1st dose, or 8 weeks if they’re at high risk from COVID-19.
Which COVID-19 vaccine will children get?
Children will be given the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for both doses.
Children aged 5 to 11 will be given smaller doses than older children and adults.
For more information, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine for children aged 5 to 15 – NHS (www.nhs.uk).