The Health Minister is encouraging parents and guardians to bring their children for vaccination.
All children aged 5 to 11 will be offered a Covid-19 vaccine from this weekend, the government has announced.
The move comes as 21,926 new cases of the virus were confirmed in Ireland on Friday (7 January).
As of 8am on Friday, 936 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised of which 84 are in intensive care units.
The @hpscireland has today been notified of 21,926* confirmed cases of #COVID19.
As of 8am today, 936 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised of which 84 are in ICU.
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) January 7, 2022
Ireland’s paediatric vaccination programme is currently underway for children aged 5 to 11 who have a health condition that puts them at risk of severe illness from Covid or live with someone who is at higher risk from the virus.
However, in a statement on Friday, the government announced that from Saturday (8 January), all 5 to 11-year-olds will be offered a primary dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan and Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Council (NIAC) Professor Karina Butler are jointly encouraging parents and guardians to bring their children for vaccination.
Donnelly said that it is “important” that the public continues to encourage all eligible for vaccination to come forward as Ireland waits for more evidence to emerge on the severity of infection with Omicron.
“Vaccination offers an extra level of protection for all of us. It is important to discuss the Covid-19 vaccine with your child,” he said.
“As a parent of children in this age group myself, I know that children have many questions about Covid-19 and about this vaccine, and it is important to ensure they can access the information material the HSE have made available.”
It's natural that as parents we might have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and it's important we all look at reliable information. This page on the @HSELive website is a really good resource: https://t.co/9LQ5JczWID #ForUsAll https://t.co/yTr874vJLs
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) January 7, 2022
The CMO, meanwhile, stated that though it is known that most children in the 5 to 11 age group will experience a very mild form of Covid, a small few “may become severely ill”.
“Vaccines are doing an excellent job of preventing severe illness and disease in those who are fully vaccinated,” Holohan said.
“Getting your child vaccinated is a decision between you and your child. I encourage all parents and guardians to engage with the trusted health advice available on the HSE website, and with your own family clinician if you have any concerns about bringing your child for this vaccine.”
Professor Butler stated that, in recommending vaccination for all 5 to 11-year-olds, NIAC considered the potential risks and benefits.
“As a paediatric doctor, I know that many parents and guardians will have genuine concerns and questions about Covid-19 vaccination for their children,” she said.
“However, when the available evidence relating to the risk Covid-19 can pose to some children, as well as the significant negative impact on the lives of all of them, particularly the educational and social lives of our children, are considered, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.”
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