COVID-19 is usually mild in most children, but it can make some children unwell. Children aged 12 to 15 are being offered 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to give them the best protection against the virus and to help stop it spreading to other people.

 

When will children be offered the COVID-19 vaccine?

Children can get a 1st dose of the vaccine from the day they turn 12. Most children can get a 2nd dose from 12 weeks after they had their 1st dose.

If your child has tested positive for COVID-19 and is not at high risk from COVID-19, they need to wait 12 weeks before they can have a COVID-19 vaccine. This starts from the date of their positive PCR test.

 

How children can get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Most children aged 12 to 15 can:

• get the vaccine at school
• book their vaccination appointments online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy
• find a walk-in vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment

 

Getting the vaccine at school

Most children will be offered a 1st and 2nd dose of the vaccine at school during school hours.

From Monday 10 January 2022, 2nd doses will be offered in schools and children who have not yet had a vaccine can get their 1st dose during these vaccination sessions.

School immunisation teams will visit your child's school to give the vaccine. As a parent or guardian you will get a letter or email with information about when the vaccine will be offered, and you'll be asked to give consent.

If your child misses their COVID-19 vaccination, for any reason, they will be offered it again at a later date.

 

Booking vaccination appointments online

You can book your child's 1st dose online from the day they turn 12.

You can usually book their 2nd dose from 24 hours after they had their 1st dose. You'll be offered appointment dates from 12 weeks after their 1st dose.

More information

• COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children and young people
• Pre COVID-19 vaccination booking checklist for parents of children aged 12 to 15 years