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Children in Iceland receive all kinds of vaccinations to protect them from diseases. The Chief Epidemiologist decides for Iceland how best to use vaccinations and other means to protect people against diseases that can be transmitted between people. The Chief Epidemiologist has offered vaccination against COVID-19 to children, teenagers, and adults to reduce the chances of getting sick from COVID-19.
Below are questions and answers about vaccinations for COVID-19. It can be good to look at them and think about them before you decide whether to get the vaccination with your people.
5-11 years old. Why do I need an injection for COVID-19?
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COVID-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus. The vast majority of children will not become seriously ill even if they get COVID-19, but they still need to be careful not to infect anyone else.
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Vaccination against COVID-19 is done by injecting a vaccine into people's arms. The vaccine is a liquid in a small syringe. It shows the body what the virus is like. The body's immune system, which makes us get better when we get sick, can then learn to recognise the virus without us getting sick. Then, the immune system very quickly starts to clear the virus from the body if we get it in us, and there is less risk of getting COVID-19 even if we meet someone with COVID-19.
Two vaccinations are required to complete vaccination against COVID-19, with a few weeks between them. You may need to re-vaccinate later to help the immune system better remember what the virus that causes COVID-19 is like; this is called a booster vaccination.
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After the vaccination, you are less likely to get COVID-19 disease. Most children get mildly ill from COVID-19. The vaccine can help you avoid COVID-19. Those who get COVID-19, even if they have been vaccinated, will be less sick than those who have not been vaccinated. The viruses are also cleared more quickly from the nose of those vaccinated, so there is less risk of infecting others with COVID-19.
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It is possible to get COVID-19 again. Therefore, it is recommended to get vaccinated even if you have had COVID-19, but only when three months have passed since you were diagnosed with COVID-19.
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The primary healthcare vaccinates. A parent or other adults around you decide with you if you get the vaccination. An adult must sit with you while you receive the vaccination and afterwards.
Most people sit when the vaccination is done, but you can also ask to lie down, especially if you have previously felt ill after an injection. You can choose which arm is injected.
When the vaccination is over, you must wait 15 minutes before going home.
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To get an injection is a bit like when someone pinches you. Sometimes your arm is only sore for a day or two afterwards.
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A side effect is when medicine does something more than just what it is supposed to do, usually something unpleasant. For example, if you take medication for a fever, you may feel sick to your stomach, but the fever still gets better.
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Vaccinations against COVID-19 often cause side effects. The most common side effects are unusual tiredness, arm pain, fever, and headache. After the COVID-19 vaccination, these side effects get better in a few days, but sometimes rest or relief from fever or pain helps. It is very rare to need help from a doctor to get rid of side effects after vaccination.
If you feel unwell shortly after the vaccination, talk about it with an adult, e.g. your parents or the school nurse.
12-15 years old. Why do I need an injection for COVID-19?
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COVID-19 is a highly contagious viral infection (the virus is called SARS-CoV-2). The vast majority of children will not become seriously ill from COVID-19. Young children in Iceland receive all kinds of vaccinations to protect them from diseases. The chief epidemiologist offers vaccinations to kids to reduce their chance of getting sick from COVID-19.
Just like when adults get vaccinated, kids also need to think about it carefully because it's natural and sensible to think about things. Below are questions and answers about getting vaccinated against COVID-19 to help you decide.
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The injection contains a vaccine to prevent illness if a person is infected with COVID-19. The vast majority of children and teenagers who get COVID-19 do not become seriously ill, but it can be challenging for some to get the disease. A vaccine reduces the chance of getting a severe disease and being hospitalised.
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When you are infected with COVID-19, it is essential to be careful, take care of yourself and not infect others.
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Common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, stomach pain, and diarrhoea. Many people get tired and have pain in their bones and muscles. Often, these symptoms are not severe.
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Some people experience a change in their sense of smell and taste so that food tastes strange or they can't taste it.
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Sometimes, the common symptoms become severe, and some people become more ill and find it difficult to breathe or get pneumonia and need to go to the hospital. It has happened that children and teenagers get a severe illness after COVID-19, but it has not yet happened here in Iceland. Vaccinating against COVID-19 makes this less likely to happen.
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Most people recover in 1–2 weeks after infection. Some adults and some children and adolescents get what is called long COVID-19. Then, it takes many weeks or months to recover fully from the illness. This can happen even if the COVID-19 illness is not severe. But there is much that is not yet known about this.
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Those who experience this may have a variety of symptoms, such as:
difficult to think and concentrate
fatigue and weakness
anxiety and even depression
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You can get help to feel better from experts like doctors and psychologists.
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A vaccine from Pfizer / BioNTech is used in Iceland for 12-15-year-olds. The vaccine is considered safe for this age and licensed by the Icelandic Medicines Agency for use in children. This vaccine is given to children in many countries.
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The vaccines are new medicines, but they have been studied very well and are given to millions of adults and children. Side effects are rare, and they are considered very safe. Scientists know that getting vaccinated is safer than getting COVID-19 disease, which is why children and adults are offered the shot.
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You need to talk about it with your parents and decide together. However, no one is forced to get an injection.
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At your primary healthcare centre.
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A guardian (mom, dad, or another adult who is legally responsible for you) must come with you if you are under 16 years old.
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It is injected into the arm at the shoulder. You decide which side. Most people sit when the vaccination is done, but you can also ask to lie down.
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You may have had an injection (vaccination) before, and this injection is similar to that. Most people don't think it hurts, but it may be uncomfortable. It takes a very short time to give the injection.
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It can be good to sit on your hands or sit on one hand and hold the hand of the person with you or hold a ball or something to squeeze. It's less uncomfortable to get an injection if that arm is relaxed; it helps to imagine it's asleep. For many, it is best to look the other way and try to think about something else.
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You must let them know if you feel unwell before or after the injection.
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When the injection is finished, you have to wait 15 minutes because some people are allergic to the injection and get symptoms (rash and itching, red or swollen lips/tongue, fainting, vomiting or difficulty breathing). Nurses will help if this happens.
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Discomfort in the arm after the vaccination or fever, headache, and pain in the body (bone or muscle pain) are common. Also, some people will be tired for a day or two. These side effects happen more often after the second injection. Painkillers can be used if needed.
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There are heart diseases that are very rare but have occurred after vaccination in young people, boys more than girls. Most have recovered quickly and well.
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It is being examined whether changes in the menstrual cycle, both light and heavy periods, are related to vaccination with this vaccine. This is, therefore, not known yet. Other possible changes in hormonal activity have not been observed.
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The symptoms, complications and possible long-term COVID-19 are considered worse than the side effects of vaccination, and therefore, vaccination is recommended.
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No, it is not considered dangerous; side effects are few and severe side effects are rare. It is considered worse to get COVID-19.
Service provider
Directorate of Health