All people aged 5 and over are currently eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, and as of Monday 10 January, the vaccination rollout for children aged 5-11 will begin on the Coast.
Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS) Public Health Physician Dr Rod McClure said the start of the year, including the start of childcare, preschool or kindergarten, is a good time for local parents to review their children’s vaccinations, to make sure they are up-to-date with all scheduled vaccinations or know when they are due for their next vaccination.
“Vaccination provides protection against some of the diseases young children can catch.
“While children aged 5-11 can receive a COVID-19 vaccine from Monday, there are also routine vaccinations for children at four years of age, that parents should be mindful of.
“These aim to protect against other serious diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio.
"The immunisation schedule can be hard to keep up with. There is a big gap in the schedule from 18 months to four years so vaccination may not be thought of for a while,” Dr McClure said.
“Immunisation is extremely important and effective at preventing severe outcomes from life threatening infectious diseases.
“Our childhood immunisation rates are gradually improving, but are still below the 95 per cent mark for good community immunity.
“Good community immunity prevents outbreaks of disease, which can sometimes occur in a childcare, preschool or kindergarten as you have many children together in the one place, and helps protect people who can’t be vaccinated, for example babies who are too young.
“One of the most important local barriers to childhood vaccination is parental hesitance. Parents who are hesitant about vaccinating their child often have questions or concerns but may not know where to get reliable information.
“GPs and Australian government websites, such as Queensland Health are excellent sources of reliable information. Parents can also access their child’s vaccinations history via myGov,” Dr McClure said.
For more visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/immunisation.
Children and the COVID-19 vaccine:
- COVID-19 vaccines are voluntary, safe and free.
- The Pfizer vaccine has been clinically tested and proven safe and effective for people aged 5 years and older.
- The Moderna vaccine has been clinically tested and proven safe and effective for children aged 12 and over.
Eligibility criteria:
- All people aged 5 and over are eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
- The vaccination rollout for children aged 5 to 11 will start from 10 January 2022. Bookings are not available before 10 January.
- To be fully vaccinated, a person must have two doses of the same vaccine.
- For children aged 5 to 11 years, the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine is recommended to be administered 8 weeks after the first dose.
- For young people aged 12 to 17 years, the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine should be administered 3–6 weeks after the first dose. The second dose of the Moderna vaccine should be administered 4–6 weeks after the first dose.
- Children aged 5 to 11 years will receive a smaller dose of the Pfizer vaccine while young people aged 12 years and older will receive an adult dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
How to book:
- Parents, carers and guardians have the opportunity to book an appointment for a child aged 5 to 11 years old at a GP or pharmacy through the Vaccine Clinic Finder, or through Queensland Health from 10 January 2022.
- For people aged 12 and over, you can register your interest to get vaccinated or walk in to a Queensland Health vaccination clinic in your local area. Alternatively, you can make an appointment to receive your COVID-19 vaccine at a GP or pharmacy.