Parents of children aged between 12 and 15 living in Ireland can register their child for their COVID-19 vaccine from today, Thursday August 12th.
Dr. Lucy Jessop said “Vaccines will be offered to all children aged 12 to 15, and they are particularly recommended for children who have a health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, or if they live with someone who is at higher risk of COVID-19.
- Parents are invited to register their 12 to 15 year olds for a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (Pfizer/Moderna)
- Consent is required by a parent or legal guardian in advance or on the day of vaccination
- Register by phone at 1800 700 700 for HSE vaccination centre appointments.
Other benefits of getting COVID-19 vaccine are:
- Protection from mild to severe COVID-19 illness.
- Multisystem inflammatory syndrome due to COVID-19.
- The risk of developing long COVID symptoms such as tiredness and fatigue.
- spreading COVID-19 to others.
Children who are vaccinated will be less likely to miss school and other activities because of being ill with COVID-19. But children who get COVID-19 need to isolate from other people even if their symptoms are Mild. This is to stop the spread of the virus .They need at least 10 days from when they develop symptoms or test positive.
It is rare that COVID-19 causes serious illness,hospitalisation or death in children.
Parents will need the child’s Personal Public Service (PPS) number, an Eircode, a mobile phone number and an email address.
Alternatively, parents can call HSELive on 1800 700 700 to register their child over the phone. Children who don’t have a PPSN can also be vaccinated, their parents can register them on the phone with HSElive.
Once a parent successfully registers their child, we will send vaccine centre appointment details by text message.
Children aged 12 to 15 who are registered online will be offered a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine through a vaccination centre. Â
Children in this age group can also be vaccinated at participating GPs and pharmacies. Check with your GP or find a list of participating pharmacies on hse.ie
Most children aged 12 to 15 will be vaccinated at a vaccination centre near their home. They will need to bring an adult to their appointment. Children aged 12 to 15 attending alone will not be vaccinated.
Where possible, the child’s parent or legal guardian should attend the vaccination appointment with their child. If the parent or legal guardian has given consent online in advance, it is possible for them to ask another adult to bring their child to the appointment. If consent has not been given yet, the child’s parent or legal guardian has to be there.
Parents of children with additional needs who might need an appointment at a quieter time can contact HSELive to request this.
If possible, children aged 12 to 15 should bring a form of identification with their date of birth on it (eg passport or birth certificate). If 12 to 15 year olds do not have any identification, the adult who brings them to their appointment can confirm their identity and their age.
