The HSE has opened registration for Covid-19 vaccines for children aged five to 11 who are at higher risk from the virus or who live with someone at higher risk.
Parents can register children online for a first dose of the vaccine if they have a health condition that puts them at a higher risk from Covid-19 or if they share a home with a vulnerable person. Vaccinations will start later this week.
All other children aged five to 11 will be invited to register in January.
Hospital Report
The first vaccines were administered to higher-risk children aged five to 11 in paediatric hospitals and children’s wards in hospitals around the country last week.
"The vaccine is being offered to children who are most at risk from Covid-19 so that they or their vulnerable household contacts can be protected first," said Dr Lucy Jessop, director of public health at the HSE's National Immunisation Office.
Dr Jessop said that clinical trials had shown that the vaccine was "highly effective" at preventing Covid-19 in children and that all vaccines were tested before approved for use in Ireland by the European Medicines Agency.
Children will receive a smaller does of the Pfizer vaccine than adults receive, at vaccination centres near their home and must be accompanied by an adult.
The primary vaccination course involves two doses about three weeks apart. A parent or legal guardian must give their consent for their child to receive the vaccine. If the parent or legal guardian has given this in advance, another adult can bring their child to the appointment.
To register online, a parent or legal guardian will need a personal public service (PPS) number, Eircode, mobile phone number and an email address. Parents can also called HSE Live on 1800-700700 to register their child over the phone.
