Why should tamariki aged 5-11 get vaccinated? 

Getting immunised against COVID-19 provides an extra layer of protection for tamariki.  

Immunisation is an important way we keep tamariki safe, like being sun smart or wearing a seatbelt.

It protects your tamariki from many serious diseases and stops disease spreading within your whānau and the community. In Aotearoa, children get free vaccinations against 12 diseases, including whooping cough (pertussis), measles and polio.

Is it safe for tamariki aged 5-11 to get the COVID-19 immunisation?   

The Pfizer vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds has been through clinical trials with tamariki in this age group. In general, the side effects that were reported were mild, didn’t last long, and were similar to side effects from other routine vaccines.

The vaccine is recommended for tamariki with food allergies. Unlike some other vaccines, there is no food, gelatin or latex in the Pfizer vaccine.

The only reason that someone may not be able to have this vaccine due to allergy is if they have had a severe allergic response (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the Pfizer vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine. The child (paediatric) Pfizer vaccine has gone through the same rigorous approval process as other routine childhood vaccines. No clinical trials were skipped and no corners were cut in the testing of its safety.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Medsafe has granted provisional approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years old. Medsafe only grants approval for a vaccine or medicine once it is satisfied that it has met internationally-agreed criteria for quality, safety and efficacy.

Cabinet has now approved the decision to use the paediatric vaccine for this cohort following advice from the Ministry of Health with guidance from the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG).  A group of New Zealand paediatricians including leading Māori and Pacific clinicians were consulted by CV-TAG to prepare this guidance.

The FDA in the United States and the TGA in Australia have also granted provisional approval or emergency use authorisation for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5 to 11 year olds. The vaccine is currently being rolled out in the United States to this age group.

Is there a difference in how the vaccine is administered for tamariki? 

The vaccine used for tamariki is a children’s version of the Pfizer vaccine, with a lower dose and smaller volume. Tamariki aged 5-11 will receive about a third of the dose offered to those 12 and older – 10 micrograms compared to the 30 micrograms that adults and teens receive. 

Tamariki need two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected. It is recommended that these are given at least 8 weeks apart. The interval can be shortened to a minimum of 21 days if needed, for example if your child is starting significant immunosuppression treatment.

The smaller dosing is given with smaller needles to make it easier for vaccinators to administer the vaccine to younger kids. 

Preparing your tamariki for vaccination

1. Provide encouragement to help your tamariki feel relaxed
2. Make sure they have had something to eat and drink
3. Check they’re wearing clothes that make it easy to see and access their upper arm.

If they’re a little nervous, they’re welcome to take something to the appointment that will distract them, like a soft toy or phone.

If your tamariki have had previous reactions to immunisations, let your vaccinator know, speak to your whānau doctor prior to the appointment, or talk to a trained advisor on the COVID Vaccination Healthline – 0800 28 29 26.

Consent

A parent, caregiver or legal guardian will need to accompany your child to their appointment(s) as the responsible adult and provide consent for them to be immunised.

At the appointment both the adult and child can ask as many questions as they like.

Side effects

As with any immunisation, your child is likely to have a sore arm and get redness, pain or swelling at the injection site. Other reactions that can occur, usually within one or two days, include:

• headache
• a fever (feeling hot)
• nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, diarrhoea
• fatigue
• general discomfort (feeling unwell, aches and pains).

These are common and show that the vaccine is working. Encouraging rest and offering plenty of fluids will help.

Severe reactions to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are very rare and usually occur straight away after the vaccination. For this reason, you and your child will be put in an observation area for monitoring by clinical staff to ensure they receive any medical treatment if this occurs.

Signs of severe allergic reaction can include:

• difficulty breathing 
• swelling of the face and throat
• a fast heartbeat 
• a bad rash all over the body 
• dizziness and weakness

If you notice your child experiencing any of these symptoms let clinical staff know immediately. If you are not at a vaccination site call 111.

Myocarditis and pericarditis are very rare but serious side effects of the Pfizer vaccine. In the clinical trials no cases were seen in children aged 5 to 11 years old, however it is important to be aware of the symptoms for all ages who are vaccinated. If your child has any of the following symptoms in the days or weeks after being vaccinated, get medical help right away.

Symptoms of myocarditis and pericarditis:

• discomfort, heaviness, tightness or pain in their chest
• difficulty breathing
• feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart
• feeling faint, light-headed or dizzy

Tamariki with disabilities

The disability team is available Monday to Friday, from 8am to 8pm. They will support your whānau and can book an immunisation appointment for you. They can answer any questions you may have about your child’s needs including accessibility, free transport options, or any effects the vaccine may have on your child.

• Call: 0800 28 29 26 and push 2 
• Free text: 8988
• Email: accessiblecovidvaccinations@whakarongorau.nz

More information

For more information and links to research, visit health.govt.nz/CovidVaccineKids, Karawhiua, Ministry for Pacific Peoples and https://covid19.govt.nz/

Have questions about the vaccine? Talk to a trained advisor on the COVID Vaccination Healthline – 0800 28 29 26 – between 8am–8pm, 7 days a week.