Vaccination for children aged 12+ years old

Children from the age of 12 years are offered vaccination against COVID-19. Vaccination is voluntary and free.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine that is used in Greenland is approved as effective and safe to use for children from the age of 12 years.

Denmark and several other countries in Europa, the USA and Israel provide vaccination to children from the age of 12 years.

The Greenlandic health authorities recommend that children from the age of 12 years are vaccinated against COVID-19. This recommendation is based on several reasons:

  • COVID-19 is continuing to evolve into new variants. By vaccinating most people and children aged 12 to 15, society achieves extra immunity and therefore better control of the epidemic.
  • The vaccine is effective at preventing children from becoming ill with COVID-19. However, children are rarely seriously ill from COVID-19.
  • Vaccinated children help to break chains of infection, since they have less risk of becoming infected and of passing the infection to others. They help to protect other people, such as the elderly and vulnerable families who are not vaccinated.
  • The increased immunity in the population means children and adults can return to more normal daily routines without the need for testing and tracing.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine that is used in Greenland is approved for use in individuals aged 12 years and older. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved the vaccine for use in individuals aged 12 years and older based on official studies that show the vaccine is effective against COVID-19 and is safe to use for use in children aged 12 years and older.

The Danish Health Authority has carried out a careful review, and on that basis, recommends the vaccination for use in children aged 12 years and older. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Greenlandic authorities will continue to carefully monitor the safety and effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine.

All vaccines have side effects, including COVID-19 vaccines. In most cases the side effects will be mild and an expected natural sign that the body’s immune system is reacting to the vaccine.

Ordinary side effects can be for example, local redness, soreness and inflammation where the injection was given, slight fever, fatigue, headache and muscle and joint pain. Side effects usually last for a couple of days.

In some rare cases, serious allergic reactions can occur. For example, due to an allergic reaction to the additives in the vaccine. If your child has a known and serious allergy, e.g. an allergy to a medicine, then you should speak with the healthcare personnel who shall administer the vaccine to your child or contact your local health centre before the vaccination is due.

Children aged 12 to 14 years who are to be vaccinated against COVID-19, must be accompanied by a custodial parent, who shall provide consent for the vaccination. Consent is voluntary and does not need to be made in writing.

Before the child receives the vaccination, his or her custodial parent will be encouraged to ask and get answers to any questions that he/she has about the vaccine. For example, questions relating to side effects. The custodial parent can be given answers, from the person who is administering the vaccine, immediately prior to the vaccine being given and/or by reading the health authorities’ leaflet with relevant information.

If the custodial parent declines to receive the information about the vaccination of their child but was offered it, then the requirement of informed consent will still have been met.

If the custodial parent shows signs of reluctance, it may be necessary for the person administrating the vaccine to ask if he/she has given their consent for the vaccination of their child.

If the child attends the vaccination without the presence of his/her custodial parent, the vaccination of the child may not go ahead. For example, if the child is accompanied by a grandparent who does not have custody of the child, consent cannot be given.

If the child expresses clear resistance to being vaccinated, this shall accordingly be taken into consideration.

Download the consent form here: Vaccination mod covid-19 (SARS-2) for børn i alderen 12 til og med 14 år

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