Vaccinating Your Child
Although fewer children have been seriously ill with COVID-19 compared to adults, they can, in some cases, become seriously ill or develop severe COVID-19 complications, such as MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children). Vaccination protects your child from developing a severe infection if he/she does get infected.
Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for children?
Only COVID-19 vaccines that are assessed to be safe and efficacious are authorised by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for use in Singapore. Accordingly, the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination has recommended the (i) Moderna/Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine for persons aged 6 months to 4 years, (ii) Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine for persons aged 5 years to 11 years and, (iii) Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine for persons aged 12 years to 17 years.
The common side effects (such as injection site pain, fatigue, headache) of the vaccines are generally mild to moderate and resolve within a few days. Serious adverse events, such as severe allergic reactions and inflammation of the heart or its lining, are very rare. The doses of the vaccines for children are reduced compared to adolescents and adults.
How many doses of vaccines are recommended for children?
Children aged 6 months to 4 years - 2 doses of Moderna/Spikevax vaccine, OR 3 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine. The recommended intervals between the doses are eight weeks.
Children aged 5 years to 17 years require 3 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty or Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccines, as applicable, to confer Minimum Protection. The recommended interval between the first and second dose is eight weeks, while the recommended interval between the second and third dose is five months. This first and second dose were previously referred to as ‘primary vaccination’, and the third dose is also known as the booster dose. Children who were aged below 5 years and had completed their vaccination, should receive a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine after they turn 5. This third dose should be at least five months from their last vaccine dose.How to get your child vaccinated
All children aged 6 months and above may walk in to any Joint Testing and Vaccination Centre (JTVC) that offers the vaccine recommended for the different age groups. On days where there is high demand for vaccination, you should expect a longer waiting period. Please note that vaccinations at polyclinics and participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) are by appointment only.
For children aged 12 years and above who wish to receive the Novavax/Nuvavovid vaccine, parents/guardians may book an appointment to receive the vaccine at any of the 19 PHPCs offering the vaccine. The list of clinics can be found here.
If this is your child/ward’s second or third vaccination dose, or if your child has had a prior COVID-19 infection, please take note of the minimum intervals required before walking in to a JTVC or making an appointment at a PHPC. For more information on the vaccine recommendations for children, please visit here.
If you prefer to make an appointment for your child/ward’s vaccination instead of walking into a JTVC, you would need to register him/her at https://child.vaccine.gov.sg. An SMS with a personalised booking link will be sent to the registered mobile number of the parent/guardian within three to five working days to book an appointment at a preferred location.
If your child/ward is aged 5 years and above, and has already completed two doses previously and is eligible for the third dose in order to achieve minimum protection, you will receive an SMS notification to book the booster vaccination via the personalised booking link provided. If you do not receive an SMS notification around five months from the second dose, you may walk in to any JTVC offering the vaccine recommended for your child/ward’s age group. Alternatively, you may call the MOH COVID-19 vaccination hotline at 6995 9199.
To locate the nearest vaccination site, the types of vaccines offered, and its operating hours, please visit https://gowhere.gov.sg/vaccine.
On the day of vaccination
You must accompany your child/ward if he/she is aged 12 years and below. Children aged 13 years and above need not be accompanied.
You should bring along your child/ward’s identification document (e.g. Birth Certificate and Health booklet/Passport/Student Identification Card/Singpass) for verification. Please remember to bring either a printed or electronic copy of the signed consent form for their vaccination. You may use this letter of consent.