Should kids get vaccinated if they don’t get severely ill from COVID-19?
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.
Results of a recent clinical trial demonstrate that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are highly effective and that most side effects are mild and short-term.
The TGA carefully evaluated available data for both vaccines to support their safety and efficacy among children.
If your child has had COVID-19
If your child has had COVID-19 you should wait 3 months after the confirmed infection before they have a COVID-19 vaccine dose.
This is to optimise their vaccine protection. A longer gap between infection and vaccination is likely to lead to a better immune response and result in longer protection from reinfection.
The next scheduled dose of COVID-19 vaccine should be given as soon as possible after 3 months. Your child should still have all the recommended doses.
If your child has had COVID-19, you do not need to defer other vaccinations – for example, the flu vaccine. But they should not get any vaccine if they are acutely unwell (e.g., have a fever).
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.
With new COVID-19 vaccine developments every day, it’s normal to have questions or concerns, and possibly feel hesitant about getting a vaccine. That's why we're providing accurate, evidence-based answers to questions about COVID-19 vaccines.