The National Immunisation Advisory Committee has recommended a reduced dose vaccine for children aged five to 11-years-old.
The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has taken that recommendation positively as fully expected so that children in three distinct cohorts will now be prioritised for the jab:
- Those living with an underlying condition
- Those living with a younger child with complex medical needs
- Those living with an immunocompromised adult
Kids will be offered the vaccine alongside others who are living with underlying conditions. All other children will then be offered the reduced dose jab.
“As the country continues to experience a high incidence of disease, we have seen a significant increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in this age group.
“While we know that most children will experience a very mild form of this disease if they pick it up, for a small few, they may become severely ill.
“Extending the possibility of vaccination to this age group offers another layer of protection to our children, and to those around them.”
The children will be offered seperate one-third doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with the national rollout expected to begin in January. The two doses will be administered three weeks apart.
Minister Donnelly said the booster rollout is beginning to take effect in the over-75 age group where “we are already beginning to see a significant reduction” in cases.
He said it is “vital” that people attend their booster appointments or “make the time to attend a walk-in vaccination clinic if that option is available“.
A COVID-19 vaccine will soon be offered for 5-11 year-olds following recommendations from NIAC.
We're working with @HSELive on planning for this when the first vaccines arrive next week.
Full information for parents will also be made available. https://t.co/YQELsEJZJk pic.twitter.com/h5gLT2hGb6
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) December 8, 2021
