COVID-19 is a potentially life-threatening disease. The coronavirus vaccine offers children and young people aged 12 and above safe and effective protection against severe COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalisation. In addition, the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic, especially measures of isolation, are significant in this age group even independently of individual COVID-19 infections. Vaccination offers the simplest way to get back to normality.

The results of a study with around 2,000 children and young people aged 12 to 15 years show that the Comirnaty vaccine from BioNTech/Pfizer is also safe in this age group. The efficacy is comparable or even better than in 16 – 25 year olds.

STIKO recommends that everyone aged 12 and above who has had a confirmed COVID-19 infection and has not yet been vaccinated should receive a single jab three months after the infection as their primary course of vaccination. In certain situations, however, the dose may be administered as early as four weeks after COVID-19 symptoms resolve; for example, if the individual is likely to be exposed to new variants of the virus (e.g. Omicron), against which a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection alone does not provide long-term protection.

Currently, Comirnaty (BioNTech/Pfizer), Spikevax (Moderna) and Nuvaxovid (Novavax) have been approved for people under the age of 18. However, only Comirnaty and Nuvaxovid are being administered to under 18-year-olds at present. All currently available data shows that the vaccines are safe.

Vaccinated children and adolescents may experience common reactions to vaccination that typically subside within one to three days without any long-term consequences. These include pain at the injection site, fever, chills and headache. Such reactions to vaccination are also commonly observed in clinical studies on adults and are usually no cause for concern. To alleviate possible discomfort, an analgesic/antipyretic may be taken in the recommended dosage after consultation with the doctor.

Yes. That’s because, so far, no connection between vaccination reaction and vaccination protection has been proven.

Following vaccination against COVID-19 with an mRNA vaccine, there is a risk of developing myocarditis or pericarditis. Overall, this risk is very low, with fewer than five cases of such inflammation observed per 100,000 vaccinations administered. It typically affects young men and boys more than women and girls. Most of the cases of myocarditis or pericarditis observed following vaccination are mild and heal over time. No statement regarding the long-term effects can currently be made. It is also important to note that a COVID-19 infection itself may also lead to pericarditis or myocarditis. Current data shows that the risk of myocarditis caused by a SARS-CoV2 infection is approximately six times higher than the risk of experiencing this complication after getting vaccinated.

Similar to other vaccinations, it is advisable to take it easy for a few days to a week and to avoid exertion to avoid side effects.

COVID-19 vaccination is available from paediatricians and general practitioners. Vaccination is also available through local vaccination campaigns. Employees can also ask their company’s in-house doctor to vaccinate their dependants against COVID-19. If older adolescents are already employed by a company, they can also get vaccinated by visiting their company’s doctor.

No. School attendance is not dependent on the coronavirus vaccination.

The intervals are the same as for adults – full vaccination protection applies 14 days after the second vaccination. There is only one exception: If the person has recovered from COVID-19, they are considered to be fully vaccinated immediately after vaccination.