COVID-19 vaccinations for young children (ages 5-11)

Young children between the ages of 5 and 11.

Through 31 March 2023.

Vaccinations will be administered using public funds, and are free of charge for everyone.
*However, there is a possibility you will have to pay for doctor fees if you visit a clinic before or after the vaccination.

(*1) Children 12 and older use a different vaccine, along with different directions and dosage.
(*2) Even if the standard 3-week waiting period between shots has passed, the second shot can be taken. There is no need to start over and get the first shot again, so it is recommended that to get the second shot as soon as possible.

[About vaccines for influenza, etc., and the interval between doses of other vaccines]

• Doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccines may be taken at the same time with no waiting period.
• Generally vaccines other than the influenza vaccine may not be taken at the same time. Either the other vaccine or the COVID-19 vaccine may be taken if an interval of 2 weeks has passed.

Parents and guardians are asked to ensure they are familiar with accurate information related to both the vaccines’ efficacy and risks and to discuss vaccination with their child before they make the decision to vaccinate or not. Vaccinations will not be administered without the guardian’s consent. Forcing people around you to be vaccinated or showing discriminatory treatment to those who have not been vaccinated is unacceptable.

• COVID-19 vaccines have been seen to sometimes cause side effects after they are administered, such as pain around where you were given the shot, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, chills, diarrhea, or fever. In very rare cases, recipients may experience severe symptoms such as shock or anaphylaxis. Also, as this is a newly developed vaccine, there is a possibility that other unexpected symptoms may be experienced. If you are concerned about a symptom that occurs after getting the vaccine, please consult the vaccinating doctor or your regular doctor.
• Compared to the second dose of the primary vaccination series, more recipients (2% of cases) of the vaccine booster have reported swelling in the lymph nodes under the armpit. While symptoms appear within two days of getting the shot, and most are light to moderate and full recovery is seen in about one week, if symptoms persist or become severe, please visit a doctor or health care facility.
• After getting the first or second dose of vaccine, there have been reports of extremely rare cases where recipients developed myocarditis or pericarditis. If the recipient, within a few days of getting the vaccine, experiences chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or swelling, consult a doctor or health care facility immediately.
• While extremely rare, there have been reports of developing symptoms of Guillain–Barré syndrome after receiving the mRNA-type vaccine. After getting the vaccine, if the recipient has a hard time moving their arms or legs, or experiences numbness in their extremities, consult a doctor or health care facility immediately.

045-285-0719（open 24 hours）
*Guidance in languages other than Japanese also available

Side effects that continually persist after getting the shot or for specific issues that warrant informed medical consultation.
(Introductions to individual health care facilities are not provided. If you wish to be examined, consult your regular physician or the facility where you got the vaccine.)

Depending on the timing of the vaccination, the vaccine used may be different.

• If the child had their first dose at 11 and will have their second dose after turning 12, the children’s version of the vaccine will be used for both doses.
• If the child is already 12 by the time of the first dose, the first and second doses will both use the adult’s version of the vaccine.
• Note that for the purposes of the vaccination, children will be considered 12 years old as of the day before their birthday.

See this page（外部サイト） for the distribution schedule.

A reservation is required to get the vaccine. (Residents who have received a voucher may make reservations.) Have your vaccination voucher ready when making your reservation.
Medical facilities (such as pediatric clinics) experienced in vaccinating young children (ages 5-11) will administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
*Depending on the facility, reservation methods and available times may vary.

Residents with hearing loss who cannot make reservations by phone, PC, or smartphone may make reservations for mass vaccination venues or health care facilities via fax.
•Vaccine appointments for residents with hearing loss（外部サイト）

• Please ensure the parent or guardian will accompany the child. (If this would be difficult, a relative who is familiar with the child’s state of health may accompany the child in place of the parent or guardian. A letter of proxy is not required, but the parent or guardian’s signature is required on the pre-vaccination questionnaire.)
• If the child receiving the vaccine or their accompanying parent or guardian experiences a fever or otherwise feels unwell, please cancel the reservation and make a new reservation for a different day.
• Make sure the child wears clothes that allows them to easily bare their upper arm.

The pre-vaccination questionnaire, guidance, informational leaflet have been translated into 17 languages* on the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website.
*English, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Indonesian, Khmer, Korean, Mongolian, Myanmar, Nepali, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese
•Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website（外部サイト）

Residents without a regular physician can call to ask questions or concerns about the vaccination for answers and consultation (operators will provide guidance together with doctors as needed).
*Refer to the doctor where your child is regularly examined first.
For general questions about COVID-19 vaccinations, venues, etc.