Children and adolescents aged 6 months to 17 years, who are in medical risk groups that are more likely to become seriously ill from a SARS-CoV-2 infection, may also be referred for one or more (additional) COVID-19 vaccinations, if advised by a treating physician. The treating physician will give you a referral letter for COVID-19 vaccination and send you to the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs).
COVID-19 vaccination for children
Can my child get a COVID-19 vaccination?
Most children who have a SARS-CoV-2 infection do not develop severe symptoms if they become ill. That is why most children do not need a COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination is still available for children with a high risk of severe illness from a SARS-CoV-2 infection. More information about which children have a high risk of severe illness from a SARS-CoV-2 infection can be found on the RIVM page about risk groups.
Children who have had the COVID-19 vaccination can still get a SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, after vaccination, it is much less likely that your child will become seriously ill or end up in hospital due to COVID-19.
Sometimes one vaccine dose does not offer sufficient protection against severe illness. This could be the case if the child has lost protection after a bone marrow transplant, or if your child is young and has (probably) never had COVID-19 before. The treating physician or paediatrician will tell you if your child needs more than 1 (annual) COVID-19 vaccination. If that is the case, you will receive a referral letter with more information.
You can make an appointment by calling 0800-07070.
Which vaccine will my child receive?
Children under 12 years will receive an adjusted dose of the mRNA vaccine made by Pfizer/BioNTech:
- Children aged 6 months to 5 years receive a vaccine dose of 3 micrograms.
- Children aged 5 to 11 years receive a vaccine dose of 10 micrograms.
- Children aged 12 years and up receive a vaccine dose of 30 micrograms.
Which side effects could occur?
Side effects happen because a COVID-19 vaccination kickstarts your body’s immune system. The side effects usually occur in the first 2 days after the vaccination. They usually go away on their own within 1 to 2 days.
Side effects in children aged 6 months to 4 years:
- Pain at the injection site
- Drowsiness
- Irritability
- Fever
- Reddened skin at the injection site
- Decreased appetite
Side effects in children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years:
- Pain at the injection site
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- Reddened skin at the injection site
- Cold chills
In very rare cases, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart) may occur after vaccination. This very rare side effect of the vaccination has been observed more often among young adult males (aged 16-24 years). There are no known cases of myocarditis or pericarditis following vaccination among young children at this time.
FAQ about COVID-19 vaccination for children
Who will give the vaccination?
The COVID-19 vaccination is administered by the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs).
My child has a fever. Can my child still get the COVID-19 vaccination?
If the fever is higher than 38 C, wait to get the vaccination until your child is feeling better.
My child has also received a notice or already scheduled an appointment for another vaccination. What should I do with the invitation for the COVID-19 vaccination?
There does not need to be any interval between the vaccinations. You can keep the appointment for the other vaccinations – for example against HPV, DTaP and MMR – as well as the appointment for the COVID-19 vaccinations. Please note: the COVID-19 vaccination is administered by the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) at a COVID-19 vaccination location, not at the well-baby clinic.