COVID-19 Vaccines for Children 5-11

Consent is required for every child. Consent can be provided by one parent, legal guardian, foster parent, or a custodial caregiver like a grandparent or relative.

You’ll be asked to give consent at the clinic location. For more information, see the Province of BC information on Consent.

Children need protection from COVID-19 as well as youth and adults. While most children experience mild to moderate illness from the COVID-19 virus, some children can get very sick, and others can have lingering symptoms or health issues long after the infection.

The clinical trials showed that the vaccines were 91% effective against preventing COVID-19 infections, and even better for preventing severe illness and hospitalization. Preventing these infections is also important to protect all those who may come into contact with children and youth. If we could prevent 91% of infections in this group, even those who cannot get vaccinated, or those for whom the vaccine might not work well, would be protected as well.

Getting children vaccinated will help all of us get back to the activities we enjoy.

As with any other vaccine in Canada, the COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5 to 11 went through a rigorous review and approval process. In the clinical trials for this age group, no serious events were detected at all. We also continue to monitor the safety and effectiveness at the provincial and federal levels.

So far, if we look to the data for youth age 12 to 17, we have confidence in the safety of the vaccine. Out of approximately 500,000 doses given in B.C. to 12 to 17-year-olds so far, there have been 14 serious adverse events reported following immunization. These events ranged from an allergic rash to gastrointestinal symptoms to anaphylaxis. These events are uncommon among 12 to 17-year-olds and are far outweighed by the risks associated with COVID-19.

For example, if there were 500,000 COVID-19 infections in the same age group, using BC data we would have expected to see over 2,000 youth hospitalizations and over 300 youth in intensive care.

Common vaccine side effects

The vaccine provides your body with the information to generate immunity without the risk of the infection. Mild side effects are to be expected as the immune system is activated. These side effects are similar for most vaccines, such as sore arm where the injection was given. Less common side effects lasting for one to two days after the vaccination include fatigue, headache, chills and muscle aches.

For more information, visit BCCDC Vaccine Safety.

The Pfizer vaccine that has been approved for children uses a smaller dosage of the same mRNA vaccine used for youth and adults. They will receive one-third of the dose given to adolescents and adults. It has been found to provide excellent protection in that age group.

Arriving prepared

Get your child ready for the appointment:

• Talk to your child before you arrive about getting the vaccine. You can also use the CARD system - Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract to help your child find their preferred way to prepare for the vaccine.
• They need to wear a short-sleeved shirt and you both need to wear a mask

Meeting your child’s health care provider and getting the vaccine

You and your child will meet one of our health care providers at the clinic, talk about the vaccine, and ask any questions. Our health care providers at our clinics are trained to work with children and can help you work with your child to support them.

When ready and you have provided consent to the health care provider, the child will get their shot, which only takes a few seconds to administer.

After getting the vaccine

After the shot, wait in an observation area for about 15 minutes. Just like adults and youth, your child may experience side effects after getting the vaccine. See the BCCDC Vaccination Aftercare guidance.

To get the most effective protection against serious cases of COVID-19, your child needs two doses of vaccine. The second dose will be offered 8 weeks or more after the first dose.

You will get an invitation by text, email or phone call to book your child's second dose appointment. Like the first appointment, you'll select a clinic location, date and time.