As schools return from holidays, children’s COVID-19 vaccinations are getting under way

The administration of COVID-19 vaccinations to children aged 5 to 11 has started in Finland. In December 2021, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) recommended the vaccinations for children in this age group who have an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 because of being treated for a chronic illness or for some other reason. The vaccinations were also recommended for children aged 5 to 11 who have a person with severe immunodeficiency in their family circle. 

Offering other children aged 5 to 11 the possibility of getting the COVID-19 vaccine was also recommended.  

“In public discussion, people have not been clear about what ‘offering the possibility’ means. They may have interpreted this to mean that the vaccinations are not recommended at all for healthy children. This is a misunderstanding. The European Medicines Agency has also approved the Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 5 to 11. Getting vaccinated is not recommended as strongly for young children as for those aged over 12. The reason for this is that children aged 5 to 11 have a very small risk of contracting a severe COVID-19 disease”, explains Hanna Nohynek, Chief Physician at THL. 

In the guidelines for young children, THL also wished to stress the voluntary nature of the vaccinations, as the disease burden in this age group is small.  

“The COVID-19 vaccines are also effective in children. However, their vaccinations have been assessed to have limited impact on controlling the epidemic. Young children do not play a key role in spreading the epidemic and, on the other hand, the effectiveness of the vaccine against infections caused by the Omicron variant is only moderate”, Nohynek continues. 

Children mainly have mild adverse effects 

The adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccines are very similar in children aged 5 to 11 as in older children, including pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, tiredness and aches and pains, all of which are short-lived. Severe adverse effects are extremely rare. 

“The information we have at the moment indicates that a severe COVID-19 disease and long covid are rare in young children. This is why protecting with vaccinations older people and other groups who are at risk of contracting a severe COVID-19 disease has been a higher priority in a situation where the resources are limited", says Nohynek.  

COVID-19 vaccinations are organised by the municipalities 

Under-aged persons may make an independent decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccination if the health care professional administering the vaccine considers that, based on their age and level of development, the child or young person is sufficiently mature to make this decision on their own.

No legal age limit has been set for an independent decision, and the situation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For most children aged 5 to 11, the consent of all guardians is required. Considering the current legislation and previous decisions of the overseers of legality, all guardians must give their consent before a child can be vaccinated. 

Municipalities are responsible for coronavirus vaccinations, and they decide on the practical arrangements of vaccinating children. For example, the vaccinations may be administered by the school healthcare services or at coronavirus vaccination points intended for the general population. 

“Children’s vaccinations are getting underway as children have returned to school after Christmas holidays. The regions now have more resources for also vaccinating children, as good progress has been made with the third vaccine doses for older people and other risk groups”, says  Mia Kontio, Chief Specialist at THL. 

A total of 360,000 doses of Biontech-Pfizer’s Comirnaty vaccine intended for children have been received in Finland in December and January. Further doses will be delivered in early March. 
In Finland, the interval between the first and second dose of mRNA vaccines is 6 to 12 weeks, and the same interval is used for children as for adults.  

“Some municipalities will have to administer second doses with a longer interval than this, as further batches of vaccines intended for children will only be delivered in March. All municipalities will not have enough vaccines to administer them with a six-week interval. The vaccine gives better protection when the interval between the doses is longer, however”, says Kontio. 

Further information: 

FAQs about COVID-19 vaccines for children and young people   
 
Hanna Nohynek 
Chief Physician
THL
[email protected]  

Mia Kontio
Chief Specialist
THL
[email protected]