Under-12s set for their jabs
Children aged between 5 and 11 roll up their sleeves for vaccine
Fatupaito Timson has been nagging his parents for months about getting his first jab.
About 476,000 New Zealand children aged between 5 and 11 years are eligible for the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine from today, after Cabinet ministers approved the paediatric version last month.
And Unichem Rototuna has already been flooded with calls from parents eager to book their children in.
Nine-year-old Fatupaito, with his sister, Dylan, 11, and cousin Maia Davis, 6, will be among the first children waiting
to be immunised against Covid19 today – in their case, at Hamilton’s Te Kō hao Health.
‘‘I’m excited to get the vaccine,’’ Fatupaito told Waikato
Times.
He had been asking his mum early last year about when he could get it, he said, but was told he had to wait.
He doesn’t know if his mates are getting the jab, but hearing his mum, dad and older brother talk about it made him feel comfortable about the process, he said. ‘‘I want to get it to protect my body and my family.’’
His mother, Donna Lee, said while as parents they were hoping all their children would get the shot, it was important they made that decision on their own.
‘‘I have a 13-year-old that has had both of his shots and is about to get his booster.
‘‘With him, I gave him a few things to read, and he had a few conversations with his mates and effectively did his own readings and talked to our doctor about it.
‘‘Both my younger two saw their dad, myself and the eldest get the vaccine and I think because there’s been some good conversations in our house, they’ve both felt comfortable.’’
She said she has booked each child in 10-minute slots after each other at Te Kō hao Health, so they can become familiar with the nurse and can support each other through the process.
‘‘It’s all well and good them saying they’re all good to get the vaccine, but once we get there it could be a completely different story.
‘‘It’s important they’re comfortable.’’
As of midnight Saturday, 95 per cent of New Zealand’s eligible population had had a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 93 per cent a second dose.
In Waikato, 95 per cent of adults have had their first dose of the vaccine, 92 per cent their second, and 37 per cent of the
‘‘We’ve set up two separate kids rooms that are colourful and more inviting for kids.’’ Kesh Naidoo-Rauf Unichem Rototuna co-owner and pharmacist
population have had a booster.
The Pfizer vaccine used for under 12-year-olds is specially formulated for children, with a lower dose and smaller volume. It is one-third of the dose given to adults. Clinical trials found the Pfizer vaccine was 90.7 per cent effective against symptomatic Covid-19 disease.
For the 5 to 11-year-old trial, participants were randomised to either receive two doses of the vaccine 21 days apart, or a placebo: 1517 children received the vaccine, and 751 children received the placebo.
No participants developed severe Covid19, information published by the Ministry of Health says.
The Ministry of Health says if a child has their second dose after turning 12, they should still complete the course with the paediatric formulation.
Unichem Rototuna co-owner and pharmacist Kesh Naidoo-Rauf said all clinics offering the vaccine for children have undergone a course in preparation with a big focus on ‘‘precautionary measures’’.
‘‘We will be offering both adult vaccinations alongside children vaccinations, so it’s important we get the logistics right on how we label things, admin and how we transition to each patient.
‘‘With adults it’s easier to predict how long each patient might take, but with children we may need to spend more time with them making sure they’re comfortable.’’
Having a nurturing environment will also be key.
‘‘We need to encourage children to not only feel comfortable during their first dose, but also we need them to come back for the second dose.
‘‘So we’ve set up two separate kids rooms that are colourful and more inviting for kids.
‘‘We have sticker charts and kids activity packs to hand out to children after they’ve been vaccinated.
‘‘They’ve got something to do while they wait.’’
Vaccinated children will also be given a certificate for being brave, she said.
Her advice to any parent unsure about their child getting the vaccine is to seek advice from a health professional.
‘‘There’s a lot of information online, and it’s quite tricky to separate truths from misinformation.
‘‘We need to remind ourselves of the consequences of our child getting Covid and what those outcomes would be versus a vaccination.’’