COVID-19 Vaccinations For 5 To 11 Year Olds Approved By The EMA
The European Medicines Agency has approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to eleven. This news follows a recent rise in cases of COVID-19 across Europe.
Vaccination has already been approved for use for children aged 12 and over.
Read More : Baby Development - Week By Week
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has told the Dáil that he expects the National Immunisation Advisory Committee will approve vaccines for children in Ireland in this age group "in the coming days".
The Tánaiste also stated that over one million people in Ireland will receive their booster vaccine by December, this was in response to a call for clarity from members of government on the status of booster vaccines.
All children aged five to eleven who will receive the Pfizer jab will be given a third of the dose that adults receive. This dose will be administered with two injections, three weeks apart.
The side effects from the vaccine typically last a few day and can include arm pain, fatigue, headaches and chills.
Read More : Ovulation Calculator
The European Medicines Agency stated that they had concluded that “the benefits of the vaccine in children aged five to eleven outweigh the risks”, also stating that this is particularly true in the case of children with pre-existing medical conditions.
Tens of millions of children in this age group will be eligible for the shot in the EU.
In the last few months, the incidence rate of infection among primary school children has been high.
NPHET are scheduled to meet today to discuss safety measures for children in schools.