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COVID-19 vaccination for children and young people: Frequently Asked Questions

What's New

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) now advise that all children aged 5-11 are offered the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. NHS Scotland are making plans to invite all eligible children for vaccination. Please wait to be contacted.

What is the current advice on COVID-19 vaccination for children and young people?
Children & young people aged 12-17 years

Advice from NHS Inform on Covid-19 Vaccination for children & young people aged 12-17 years

NHS Scotland is offering the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to all children and young people aged 12 to 17 years. They will be offered the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

'Booster' doses of the vaccine

Children and young people aged 12 and over who have a weakened immune system are now eligible for a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Your clinician will decide if you should receive a third dose. There's no need for you to take any action - your health board will contact you to arrange an appointment.

Children aged 5-11 years

Advice from NHS Inform on Covid-19 Vaccination for children aged 5-11 years

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) now advise that all children aged 5-11 are offered the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. NHS Scotland are making plans to invite all eligible children for vaccination. Please wait to be contacted.

In line with Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice, NHS Scotland is currently offering the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to children aged 5 to 11 who:

Children with Congenital Heart Disease

The British Congenital Cardiac Association (BCCA) has published advice on Covid-19 vaccination for 12-15 year olds with Congenital Heart Disease on their website.

Can children get their COVID-19 vaccination at a drop-in clinic?

Children and young people aged 12 to 17 should have already received an invitation letter to come for their first dose. If you've not received a letter:

Second doses

Children and young people aged 12 to 17 years will be offered a second dose of the vaccine from 8 to 12 weeks after the first dose.

If you're aged 16 or 17 years you can receive your second dose by:

You should check your local health board's website or social media to see if drop-in clinics are available.

Children and young people aged 12 to 15 years will receive an invitation letter to come for their second dose. They can also attend drop in clinics.

Should I be concerned about the risk of Myocarditis/Pericarditis?
What are the signs/symptoms of Myocarditis/Pericarditis?

Myocarditis and pericarditis present with new onset of chest pain, shortness of breath or feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart.

Anyone who develops these symptoms within two weeks of a COVID-19 vaccination should urgently seek medical assistance.

Most of these cases are mild and will recover in a short time period with standard treatment.

Do Myocarditis and Pericarditis have long-term consequences?

We know from the evidence so far that most patients with myocarditis post vaccination respond well to standard treatment, and the prognosis of the myocarditis is good.

However, there may be long-term consequences and studies are in progress to further understand these longer-term effects.

Further information on myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination is available here.

My child had Myocarditis/Pericarditis previously - are they at a greater risk of post-vaccination myocarditis/pericarditis?

Whilst myocarditis/pericarditis is relatively common, repeated myocarditis/pericarditis is extremely rare and most often occurs in patients who have an unusual genetic predisposition, autoimmune condition or are immunosuppressed.

Unless your child has any of these conditions they are not considered to be at a greater risk of post-vaccination myocarditis/pericarditis

Do Cardiologists recommend the vaccine? Will my child’s Cardiologist be happy for them to have the vaccine

Advice for the COVID-19 vaccination of children and young people is provided by the JCVI.

The British Congenital Cardiac Association (BCCA) has published Cardiologists’ advice on COVID-19 vaccination for 12-15 year olds with Congenital Heart Disease on their website.

The latest recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation  (JCVI) 

Reports of myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination in children and young people - Advice from the British Congenital Cardiac Association (BCCA)

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 22 February 2022

Next review: 18 October 2022

Author(s): Dr Maria Ilina