CHILDREN OVER the age of 12 will be able to register for a Covid-19 vaccination from today.
The HSE has opened the registration portal for children over the age of 12 to apply for a Covid-19 vaccination, after changes were made to the registration process which would allow a parent or guardian to provide consent for a minor to be vaccinated.
The portal includes information on the vaccines which will allow parents or guardians to make informed decisions on what is best for their children, with children living with an immunocompromised person particularly urged to receive a jab as soon as possible.
Children aged between 12- 15 will require parental consent to receive the vaccine (Stock image / Getty)Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be offered to around 280,000 eligible children between the ages of 12 to 15, but the government have repeatedly reassured parents that the vaccine is not mandatory and children will not be restricted from attending school should they not receive a jab, and will not be segregated from vaccinated students.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said on Monday that "there is no intention that any child would be excluded from education on the basis they have not received a vaccine."
They revealed that very high-risk students with underlying medical conditions will "continue to be provided with adapted education provision" ,while unvaccinated teachers are expected to return to work unless they are deemed very high risk.
Speaking to RTÉ Radio One's Morning Ireland last month, Minister Donnelly said it was "ethical and right" to protect children and society from coronavirus, but that it was up to parents to decide if their child should be vaccinated.
