Vaccinating 5-11 year olds against COVID-19: course and guidance available

Kia ora koutou,

Happy New Year and welcome back. We hope you enjoyed a well-earned break and had a chance to rest and enjoy some summer. 

As you know, the COVID-19 vaccination programme for 5-11 year olds begins on 17 January.

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All vaccinators must complete the specific 5-11 online training prior to administering the vaccine. This training will take 1.5 to 2 hours to complete depending on your level of experience with this age group. It includes information on this new preparation of vaccine, safety and efficacy data, as well as guidance of vaccine preparation, new storage arrangements and administration tips for this age range. Please note that the vaccine used for 5-11 year olds is different to the 12 years and over vaccine, both in volume and composition, hence the need for everyone to complete this training.

To access this course please go to our learning management system: Paediatric COVID-19 Vaccinator Education Course (Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine). You just need to log in. 

The course is available for:

• Health professionals, who are fully authorised, or provisionally authorised vaccinators, Pharmacist vaccinators (including interns) or any registered health professional with prescribing rights.
• You must have completed the Pfizer/BioNTech course.
• Note this training is not for COVID 19 Vaccinators working under supervision.

There is more information and guidance on our website: 5 to 11 year old COVID resources.

If you have not vaccinated those aged from 5-11 years old before, then after completing the training we recommend you work with a colleague who is experienced, although this is not essential.

Finally, we are planning a webinar next week on vaccinating 5-11 year olds, details TBC so we'll let you know when it's confirmed. Again, you must complete the online training prior to administering the vaccine to 5-11 year olds. 

Ngā mihi 
Immunisation Advisory Centre team ​

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