FAQs for health professionals (children aged 5-11)

The following questions and answers have been developed by the National Immunisation Office.

Which COVID-19 vaccines are available in Ireland for children aged 5-11?

The COVID-19 vaccine available in Ireland for vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 years is:

Comirnaty® LP.8.1 2 10 micrograms. This vaccine is ready to use and does not require dilution

Is the COVID-19 vaccine recommended for children aged 5-11?

A Comirnaty® LP.8.1 COVID-19 vaccine is recommended TWICE each year for children aged 5 to 11:With immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination.
A Comirnaty® LP.8.1 COVID-19 vaccine is recommended ONCE each year for children aged 5 to 11:With medical conditions associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation, severe disease or death.

What is the dose volume of Comirnaty® LP.8.1 10 micrograms for children aged 5-11 years?

This vaccine is ready to use and does not require dilution. The dose volume of vaccine is 0.3 ml intramuscularly (IM).

What is NIAC’s recommendation for children with immunocompromise aged 5-11?

NIAC have recommended that children aged 5 to 11 years with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination at the time of vaccination should receive

Two doses of Comirnaty® mRNA COVID-19 vaccine with a four -week interval between doses one and two.

A third dose may be administered following instruction from a relevant specialist physician. An eight weeks interval between doses two and three is recommended if three doses are required. A minimum interval of four weeks between the second and third dose may be used if there is urgency to achieve protection.

Which Comirnaty® LP.8.1 vaccine dose should a child with immunocompromise receive if they are 11 years of age, but will turn 12 years old before they can receive a second dose?

The dose of Comirnaty® LP.8.1 vaccine depends on the age of the child at the time of vaccination. An 11-year-old child with immunocompromise who receives the first dose of Comirnaty® LP.8.1 10 micrograms vaccine for those aged 5-11 years, and who then becomes 12 years of age, should receive a dose of the Comirnaty® LP.8.1 30 micrograms (0.3 mls) vaccine for those aged 12 years and older, as their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (for those who are immunocompromised).

Can other vaccines be co‐administered with Comirnaty® LP.8.1 10 micrograms vaccine in children aged 5-11 years?

Yes. NIAC now recommend that with immunocompromise 10 micrograms (0.3 mls) vaccine may be given to children aged 5-11 at the same time or at any interval from other vaccines (live and non-live) including influenza vaccine. Co-administered vaccines should be given in different arms. The only exception to this is children who have received Mpox vaccine. In this instance, there should be at least a 4-week interval between Mpox vaccine and a subsequent COVID-19 vaccine.

This is different to the advice for children aged 6 months to 4 years, where it is currently advised not to co-administer the Comirnaty® LP.8.1 3mcg/dose with any other vaccine – please see the FAQs for children aged 6 months to 4 years for more details.

Should unvaccinated children in at risk groups aged 5-11 who have had COVID‐19 infection be offered the COVID‐19 vaccine?

Vaccination recommended in an at risk groups should be deferred until clinical recovery from COVID-19 infection and for at least four weeks after diagnosis or onset of symptoms, or four weeks from the first PCR positive specimen in those who are asymptomatic.

Those with persistent symptoms post COVID-19 may be vaccinated unless there is evidence of recent clinical deterioration.

Serological testing prior to vaccination is not recommended.

What if a child aged 5-11 with immunocompromise is diagnosed with COVID‐19 infection after a first dose of vaccine?

Vaccination with the second dose should be deferred until clinical recovery from COVID‐19 and at least 8 weeks after diagnosis or onset of symptoms, or 8 weeks from the first PCR positive specimen in those who are asymptomatic.

What if a child with immunocompromise aged 5-11 is diagnosed with breakthrough COVID‐19 infection after their second dose of vaccine?

If a child aged 5-11 years who is immunocompromised has SARS-CoV-2 infection more than seven days after their second vaccine dose, if recommended by their specialist a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is not required. For those with infection within seven days of their second dose they should complete the 3rd dose if recommended after an interval of 4-8 weeks.

How can you ensure the right formulation of Comirnaty® LP.8.1 . vaccine is given to the appropriate age group?

The following checks are routinely recommended before COVID-19 vaccination:

Is this a first vaccine dose , a second or third dose for a person who is immunocompromised?
What is the age of the person?
What is the recommended vaccine for this age-group?
What is the recommended dose of this vaccine?
What is the recommended interval since the last dose?
Has the person had COVID-19 infection? What is the recommended interval since laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection?

Visit the COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Health Professionals webpage for more information