Question & Answer #1

Do kids need to get vaccinated if they don’t get severely ill from COVID-19?

Answer:

Some children do get severely sick from COVID-19, or experience long-term complications. Vaccination is the best way to help prevent your child getting sick. This is particularly important for children at greater risk.

There are many reasons why you may choose to get your child vaccinated against COVID-19.

It is true that most COVID-19 infections in young children either have no symptoms, or only mild symptoms. But some children do get very sick from COVID-19, or have long term complications from COVID-19. 

Less is known about the effects of the Omicron variant in children.

Vaccination is the best way to help prevent your child getting very sick. This is particularly important for children at greater risk.

Another reason you might consider vaccination is because of the indirect benefits to your child.

Vaccination might help prevent school closures and disruptions to extra-curricular activities. School and activities are important for kids’ general wellbeing.

Vaccination of children could also help your family and community through reduced spread of the virus.

Vaccination in children is effective and safe. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will not approve a vaccine for use in Australia unless it is safe and effective.

The TGA’s provisional approval of the Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds was based on a careful evaluation of available data to support its safety and efficacy among this age group.

If you have further questions, we encourage you to speak with your usual health care provider.

Find out more COVID-19 vaccine information for children, teens and their parents and guardians.

Information from: The Department of Health