The Public Health Department has received approval from the UKHSA (previously Public Health England) to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to vulnerable, high-risk children ages 5 11, which will take place at dedicated clinic times.Public Health will be organizing specific childhood immunization clinics over the coming weeks, as they will not be administered at the COVID vaccination clinic. The public will be advised once the clinic dates and location are confirmed.These vaccines need to be administered by Public Health nurses who specialize in children, as the dosage and inoculation for children differs than that of adults, said Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, Medical Officer of Health.A physician letter in support of their patient receiving the vaccine will be required for any administration to this age group. Vulnerable or high-risk children aged 5 11 and those on the same age group living with vulnerable or immunocompromised individuals will qualify. This includes children 5-11 years old who have:
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Chronic heart conditions
- Chronic conditions of the kidney, liver or digestive system
- Chronic neurological disease (ie: Down’s syndrome)
- Endocrine disorders
- Immunosuppression (ie: those undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, solid organ transplant recipients, bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients)
- Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen
- Serious genetic abnormalities that affect a number of systems