The vaccination of children between the ages of 12 and 15 began at the Laugardalshöll stadium in Reykjavík this morning. The authorities expect to immunize approximately 10,000 children over the next two days, Vísir reports.
“Everyone in agreement”
Children between the ages of 12 and 15 and who live in the Greater Reykjavík Area will receive jabs against COVID-19 at the Laugardalshöll stadium today and tomorrow. Rather than sending out invitations, the Capital Area Healthcare Centres (HH) have asked legal guardians to accompany their children to Laugardalshöll according to a designated schedule. On the HH website, parents are encouraged to discuss vaccinations with their children so that “everyone is in agreement” before arriving at the stadium. The children will receive the Pfizer vaccine.
Children from the abovementioned age group and who have already been infected with COVID-19 can receive one dose of the vaccine, that is if more than three months have passed since the infection. 7th graders, who turn 12 this fall, will be offered vaccines later this autumn.
Common side effects
As noted on the HH website, the most common side effects of the vaccine are pain on the injection site, tiredness, fever, headache, and muscle pain.
“As with other vaccines, the most common side effects are discomfort at the injection site and weakness/fatigue, fever and aches (headache or muscle aches and joint pain) for the first 24 hours after vaccination, sometimes for several days. Paracetamol or ibuprofen may be used in doses according to package leaflet for these side effects. There are also rare side effects with swelling in the pericardium (bag around the heart) or in the heart muscle itself, 2 to 3 weeks after vaccination, usually after the second dose and is more common in boys than girls. Although these side effects can be uncomfortable and even frightening, the condition usually disappears with rest and anti-inflammatory painkillers. If a child develops chest pain, talks about a strange heartbeat or seems short of breath when resting after the vaccination, a doctor should be consulted,” the website of the Capital Area Healthcare Centre reads.
Irregularities in the menstrual cycle
The HH website also addresses the possible connection between COVID-19 vaccinations and period changes:
“It is being investigated whether changes in the menstrual cycle, both spotting, small and heavy bleeding, are related to vaccination with this vaccine. Some girls between the ages of 12 and 15 have already started menstruation, while others have not. Not all girls at this age may be aware of any changes, as menstruation is usually irregular in the first year after it starts. Many also find it uncomfortable to talk about and won’t necessarily tell if something is different than (SIC) before. It is therefore important that they receive information that it is appropriate to discuss this and have the opportunity to do so, if not at home than (SIC) possibly with a school nurse or other healthcare professionals.”
