FAQ on COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and Adolescents

Children and adolescents aged aged 6 months to 17 years old are eligible for free Covid-19 vaccination (Sinovac) at our Central clinic. For further enquiries or appointment booking, please contact us at +852 3420 6622, click here (Whatsapp), or email info@marinamedical.hk.

In the early stage of the COVID-19 epidemic, the infection rate among children was relatively low. However, with the global pandemic of COVID-19 infection, overseas data show that the infection rate of children and adolescents is constantly rising. Under the spreading threat posed by mutant virus strains, children and adolescents who are yet to receive vaccination should get vaccinated as early as possible for self-protection. Vaccination is crucial to protect children and adolescents against COVID-19 disease to effectively decrease the rates of serious illness and death. Vaccination enables adolescents to resume normal school and daily life as soon as possible.

Since 16 February 2022, Comirnaty(BioNTech) vaccine has been made available to children and adolescents aged 5 and above, this age group can also choose to receive CoronaVac(Sinovac).

From 4 August 2022 onwards, children and adolescents aged 6 months to 17 years can receive Sinovac vaccine. From 16 February 2022 onwards, they can also receive BioNTech vaccine according to the recommendation of the Joint Scientific Committees joined by the Chief Executive’s expert advisory panel (JSC-EAP).

Starting from 4 August 2022, the minimum age for receiving the CoronaVac vaccine (Sinovac vaccine) will be lowered to 6 months starting. Having regard to the advice of the Advisory Panel on COVID-19 Vaccines, and considering the risks posed by the COVID-19 epidemic to the local community, as well as the benefits of lowering the eligibility of receiving the Sinovac vaccine to cover children aged 6 months to 17 outweigh the risks, the Secretary for Food and Health has earlier approved the eligibility of receiving the Sinovac vaccine to cover individuals aged three and above.

Source from: www.coronavirus.gov.hk Date: 21 January 2022 (update on 14 February 2022)

How many doses of COVID-19 vaccination do children and adolescents needed?

How many doses of COVID-19 vaccination do children and adolescents need?

Hong Kong currently provides two types of COVID-19 vaccines, primary immunization as three doses:

Sinovac vaccine (aged 6 months -17 years): Two doses at 28 days intervals (First two doses at 28 days intervals; second and third dose at 90 days intervals.)

BioNTech vaccine (aged 5 to 17): Two doses at 12 weeks intervals. Emerging data suggest that two doses of the Comirnaty vaccine with a longer interval would result in better immune response, and the risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis would be lowered. For adolescents with special needs (e.g. study aboard) who choose to advance the second dose to after 21 days from their first dose, they need to bring along a signed parent consent form and must be accompanied by their parent or guardian in person.

Children and Adolescents receiving BioNTech will be arranged for thigh injection. They can wear loose-fitting, easy to roll-up or other suitable clothing for ease of vaccination.

Besides, experts recommend a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for certain individuals such as immunocompromised patients^. The third dose can be given at least 28 days after the second dose.

_{For details of the specific group of immunocompromised patients,}_{please refer to the government's thematic website FAQ 34}_{(https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/faq).}

Are there any differences in the COVID-19 vaccine for children and adolescents and adults?

Are there any differences in the COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents and adults?

Answer: Yes, there is no difference in the ingredients and they are essentially identical.

However, for BioNTech, the dosage for children aged 5 to 11 years is one-third of a dose for adults.

Is the vaccine safe for adolescents?

Is the vaccine safe for children and adolescents?

Answer: Yes.

SinoVac: There are trials (Phase I and II) on the use of the Sinovac vaccine in children and adolescents aged 6 months to 17 years that showed that the Sinovac vaccine is immunogenic, safe and well-tolerated. The ongoing phase II trials also showed that the Sinovac vaccine was well-tolerated in this age group.

Information from mass vaccination campaigns in Mainland China indicated that among aged 3 to 17 years old has not shown major safety issues. (over 210 million doses of Sinovac vaccine administered)

BioNTech

The vaccine has high efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 disease. Vaccination is crucial to protect adolescents again symptomatic COVID-19 disease.

What are the side effects of COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents

Possible side effects for COVID-19 for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years

Sinovac Vaccine:

Data collected from: Phase 1 and Phase II clinical trials

The common reaction is injection site pain.

Other common

side effects

Injection site swelling, fever, abnormal skin and mucous membrane, decreased appetite nausea, headache, cough, fatigue, rhinorrhea and oropharyngeal pain

Uncommon

side effects

Injection site erythema, hypersensitivity, diarrhoea, vomiting, myalgia, laryngeal pain, pharyngeal erythema, upper respiratory tract infection, abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain, dizziness, chest discomfort and blepharitis

^{**Please visit www.coronavirus.gov.hk for the exhaust list of side effects}

BioNTech vaccine:

The overall side effect profiles of BioNTech in adolescents is similar to that in those 16 years or above

Very common

side effects

Injection site pain and swelling, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, diarrhoea, fever

^{(Some of these side effects were slightly more}^{frequent in adolescents 12 to 15 years than in adults)}

Common side effects

Injection site redness, nausea and vomiting

Uncommon adverse effects

Arm pain, insomnia, enlarged lymph nodes, feeling unwell, injection site itching, allergic reactions (e.g. rash, itching), feeling weak or lack of energy/sleepy, decreased appetite, excessive sweating and night sweats

^{**Please visit www.coronavirus.gov.hk for the exhaust list of side effects}

Myocarditis and pericarditis are known adverse reactions of BioNTech, and the majority of cases occur after the second dose in adolescents. Adolescents and young adults should avoid vigorous exercise for one week after BioNTech vaccination.

Question about doses intervals and types of vaccine

The adolescent has taken a dose of BioNTech more than 3 months ago, does he/she need to retake the first dose vaccine?

ANSWER: NO. However, it is strongly advised to take the second dose as soon as possible.

Can children and adolescent recipients receive COVID-19 vaccination if he/she has received/will receive other vaccines (such as influenza vaccine) recently?

ANSWER: It is advised to give the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days apart from any other vaccine. However, there are certain situations that the date interval between the vaccines can be shortened. For example:

The community is experiencing an increased risk of COVID-19 or other vaccine-preventable diseases
Other type of vaccine is required for post-exposure prophylaxis, such as tetanus and rabies.

It is also strongly advised to seek a professional opinion from your doctor about this.

Can the recipients take two different products to complete the course?

ANSWER: Unless there is a severe adverse reaction or allergic response to the first dose. It is advised to complete the first two doses with the same product.

Where can adolescents get the COVID-19 vaccine

Where to get the COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents and children?

	Sinovac	BioNTech
School	Contact School enrolled for details
Private Clinics	Make an appointment with us directly (under the vaccination programme there are thousands of private doctors available： https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/VSS)	Please visit the following website and contact the clinic/hospital directly for enquiries and booking: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/list_vssdr_covid_bnt_pilot_eng.pdf
Community Vaccination Centres	Go to the following thematic website and make bookings: https://booking.covidvaccine.gov.hk/forms/index.jsp Do note that certain community centres only provide 1 type of vaccine, so be cautious to select the appropriate community centre.

FAQ on COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and Adolescents

How many doses of COVID-19 vaccination do children and adolescents need?

Are there any differences in the COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents and adults?

Is the vaccine safe for children and adolescents?

BioNTech

Possible side effects for COVID-19 for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years

The adolescent has taken a dose of BioNTech more than 3 months ago, does he/she need to retake the first dose vaccine?

Can children and adolescent recipients receive COVID-19 vaccination if he/she has received/will receive other vaccines (such as influenza vaccine) recently?

Can the recipients take two different products to complete the course?

Where to get the COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents and children?

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