A primary course of COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for those aged 6 months to 4 years with underlying conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19. The presence of an underlying condition (as listed in the table below) significantly increase the risk of hospitalisation and severe disease.
However, COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to all children aged 6 months to 4 years because of:[YM1]
- the protection provided against severe COVID-19 infection and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C, further details below) and their late consequences
- the enhanced protection vaccination gives to those who have had COVID-19 infection
- the modest protection for immunocompromised and other household contacts who are too young to be vaccinated
- the safety profile of the vaccines
- similar vaccine immunogenicity to that in older children and adolescents.
A primary course of COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for those aged 6 months to 4 years with underlying conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19. The presence of an underlying condition (as listed in the table below) significantly increase the risk of hospitalisation and severe disease.
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a rare but serious hyperinflammatory syndrome related to prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, in which different organs can become inflamed. The incidence of MIS-C is about 100/100,000 in those under 21 years of age, with a median age of 9 years old, and 75% of cases with no underlying medical condition. Most children recover with appropriate treatment.
