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 11 years and, (ii) Moderna/Spikevax, 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.
*The Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine is currently unavailable under the National Vaccination Programme. Novavax is in the process of filing for regulatory approval for its updated COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine formulation.
How many doses of vaccines are recommended for children?
Children aged 6 months and above are recommended to receive two initial vaccine doses* at an interval of eight weeks apart. Thereafter, they should receive any additional doses being offered or recommended to them based on prevailing recommendations.
*The Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine is currently unavailable under the National Vaccination Programme. Novavax is in the process of filing for regulatory approval for its updated COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine formulation.
How to get your child vaccinated
All children aged 6 months and above may walk in with their parent/guardian to any of the Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres (JTVCs) that offers the vaccine recommended for the different age groups.
Parents/guardians may book an appointment at a participating Public Health Preparedness Clinic (PHPC) for your child/ward to receive his/her vaccination using this link, or at selected polyclinics through the HealthHub booking system.
If your child/ward has already received his/her first vaccination dose, or if your child has had a prior COVID-19 infection, please take note of the minimum intervals required before the next vaccination should be received. For more information on the vaccine recommendations for children, please visit this link here.
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.