Children aged 5 to 11 will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations from 10 January 2022.
Dear parents and carers
Children aged 5 to 11 will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations from 10 January 2022.
These vaccinations will be available at participating general practices (GPs), pharmacies, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and state vaccination centres.
The vaccine is one third of the adult dose and will be delivered at 2 separate appointments, expected to be 8 weeks apart. The time between the two doses can be shortened in special circumstances, such as in an outbreak response or for international travel.
The commencement of the program from 10 January 2022 provides an opportunity for all children aged 5 to 11 to receive at least one vaccine dose before they return to school, and their second dose before the end of Term 1 2022.
You are strongly encouraged to book your child or children in to receive their first vaccination before Term 1 begins.
COVID-19 vaccines have been tested, and shown to be safe and effective in protecting against serious illness and reducing the likelihood of COVID-19 spreading. They are important to protect you and your loved ones from COVID-19 and to reduce disruption to your child’s education and out-ofschool activities.
Vaccination is not mandatory to attend school, but it is highly encouraged to keep all children and their families safe.
How to book an appointment
Bookings will be available later in December 2021.
You will be able to book a vaccine appointment at a participating general practice (GPs), pharmacy or community health service, or at state vaccination centres through the
Vaccine Clinic Finder.Victorian Coronavirus HotlineThe Department of Health’s
Coronavirus Hotline 1800 675 398 can assist you with bookings at general practice (GPs), pharmacy and state vaccination centres, and help with any questions you have about vaccination.
What to bringFor information on what to bring to a vaccine appointment please visit
Checklist: before your COVID19 vaccination.Support for students with disability or special requirementsThere is
extra support for students with disabilities and specialist requirements to access COVID-19 vaccinations.
Parents of children with disability who need extra assistance to access a vaccination should contact specialist
Disability Liaison Officers who can help make the process easier.
The
Association for Children with a Disability will hold a Facebook live session for families with children with additional needs on Tuesday 11 January at 10.30am.
Register online.
Parent and community webinarsExperts from the Royal Children’s Hospital will hold a Facebook live session – ‘COVID-19 vaccinations for 5- to 11-year-olds: Your questions answered’ on Thursday 16 December at 11am. Refer to the
Facebook page for more information.
The Department of Health and leading medical research organisations will run webinars for parents and carers about COVID-19 vaccinations for 5- to 11-year-old children. Details to follow.
More informationResources are available to help you and your child or children prepare for the vaccination:
•
Needle phobia - The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) (mcri.edu.au)•
Tips to help a child afraid of needles and stop it becoming a phobia - ABC Everyday • COVID-19 vaccination social scripts - Amaze - Autism resource• Sesame Street ABC of COVID vaccinesThe Victorian Government’s coronavirus.vic.gov.au website also has
information about COVID-19 vaccines in 63 community languages.To ensure the safest start to the 2022 school year for your child or children, I encourage you to help them get vaccinated before they return to school.
Kind regards
Stephen Fraser
Deputy Secretary
School Education Programs and Support