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COVID vaccinations for 5-11 year olds
Tue 05 Apr 2022April 2022
Dear parents / guardians
COVID-19 vaccinations for 5 to 17 year olds in Birmingham and Solihull
For decades, vaccinations have protected our children and young people from potentially serious diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, flu, polio, tetanus and meningitis.
By the time they leave school, a child will typically have been offered vaccinations against 18 different diseases or infections; the COVID-19 vaccine is one more vaccine that children can have to protect them from illness.
We all want to get back to normal – we want our children to go to school or college, do the things they love and catch up on lost time spent time with family and friends. However, COVID-19 is still active and causing some children and young people to miss out on their education and the things that they enjoy.
Vaccinations for 5 to 11 year olds
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommend that 5-11 year olds are offered the vaccine, which has been approved by the UK’s medicines regulator, to boost immunity and increase their protection against any future waves of COVID-19.
Children aged 5-11, with no other underlying health conditions, will be offered two paediatric (child) doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with at least 12 weeks between doses. A paediatric dose is smaller than doses given to those aged 12 and over.
From Monday 4 April, parents/guardians will be able to have their child vaccinated at a site and time convenient for them – at a local vaccination centre, community pharmacy or a GP practice offering vaccinations for this age group.
From Saturday 2 April, parents/legal guardians can book an appointment through the National Booking Service or by calling 119.
Please be aware that only a parent, or legal guardian, can take their child for a COVID-19 vaccination.
The NHS will write again to all parents/guardians of children aged 5-11 about this, over the next month, with more information about the vaccination programme.
Vaccinations for 12 to 15 year olds
Young people aged 12 to 15 year olds are also offered two doses of the vaccine. These vaccinations were previously offered in schools, but this has now come to an end. However, there are many vaccination centres across Birmingham and Solihull that offer COVID-19 vaccinations for this age group, please visit the National Booking System (for booked appointments) or the Birmingham and Solihull Vaccination website (for walk-in appointments) to find out more.
Please be aware that only a parent, or legal guardian, can take their child for a COVID-19 vaccination.
Vaccinations for 16 and 17 year olds
Young people aged 16 and 17 are now eligible for a booster (third) dose. Please visit the National Booking System (for booked appointments) or the Birmingham and Solihull Vaccination website (for walk-in appointments) to find out more.
All children and young people will need to wait in the waiting area and may need to be observed for 15 minutes after having the vaccination.
Children who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommend that children aged 5 to 11 years will need to wait for 12 weeks following a positive test for COVID-19, before having their first or second COVID-19 vaccination. Children aged 5 to 11 years who are at increased risk, should wait 4 weeks (28 days) from a positive test result, before having their vaccine.
More information
Further information is available here:- COVID-19: A guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11
- COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 15
- Birmingham and Solihull COVID-19 Vaccination Website
Yours faithfully,
Kate Woolley
Interim Director of Immunisations and Vaccinations Birmingham and Solihull Vaccination Team
