1

Getting a COVID-19 vaccination can help protect your child from getting COVID-19. Early information shows that the vaccines may help keep people from spreading COVID-19 to others. They can also help keep your child from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19. Help protect your whole family by getting yourself and your children 12 years and older vaccinated against COVID-19.

2

Who can receive?

• Adolescents (12-17 years) with underlying medical conditions are at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 and should be prioritised to receive COVID-19 vaccine.
• Adolescents (12-17 years) with no underlying medical conditions are still at risk for severe COVID19, although the risk is lower.

3

When is the COVID-19 vaccine available for adolescents?

The timing of vaccination shall follow the national COVID-19 immunisation program schedule taking into consideration existing vaccine priorities in the country.

4

Which COVID-19 vaccine is suitable for adolescents?

Currently in Malaysia, only Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is approved for use in adolescents 12 years and older (must have reached their 12th birthday on the day of the vaccination to be eligible).

5

Is it safe?

The Authority has asessed that the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine and it is safe for use on adolescents aged 12 years and above.

Based on the available clinical trials pertaining to this group, the vaccine has demonstrated a high vaccine efficacy consistent with that observed in the adult population.

The safety profile is also consistent with the known safety profile in the adult.

For children below the age of 12, trials are still ongoing.

Most common reported side effects were:-
a) pain at the injection site
b) tiredness
c) headache
d) chills
e) muscle pain
f) fever
g) joint pain

These side effects may affect your child’s ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects.

Ask your child’s healthcare provider for advice on using a non-aspirin pain reliever and other steps you can take at home to comfort your child.
It is not recommended you give pain relievers before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent side effects.

Cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of tissue surrounding the heart) in adolescents and young adults have been reported more often after getting the second dose than after the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. These reports are rare and the known and potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks, including the possible risk of myocarditis or pericarditis. For patients with myocarditis or pericarditis, most of them responded well to medicine and rest, and quickly recovered after seeking doctor review.

6

How is it given?

It is given intramuscularly.
Two standard doses of the vaccine (30mcg) should be given at least 21 days apart.
Children and adolescents receive the same dosage of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as adults.
There are no patient weight requirements for COVID-19 vaccination, and COVID-19 vaccine dosage does not vary by patient weight.

7

How to prepare my child's vaccination visit?

1. Talk to your child before the visit about what to expect.
2. Tell the doctor or nurse about any allergies your child may have.
3. Comfort your child during the appointment.
4. To prevent fainting and injuries related to fainting, your child should be seated or lying down during vaccination and for 15 minutes after the vaccine is given.
5. After your child’s COVID-19 vaccination, you will be asked to stay for 15–30 minutes so your child can be observed in case they have a severe allergic reaction and need immediate treatment.

8

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is contraindicated in individuals who have had an allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or to any of its components.
The vaccine is also contraindicated in a person with a history of anaphylaxis which include severe angioedema, bronchospasm and/or hypotension, to multiple drugs/substances, Drugs or items containing PEG or polysorbate or unknown trigger (idiopathic).

9

What are the precautions?

Vaccination of adolescents with an acute illness should be deferred until the acute symptoms have resolved.
Individuals with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 should be tested for SARS-CoV-2.

Avoid strenous physical activities (e.g.: playing ball, racket games, cycling, weightlifting, running, jogging, swimming etc) for one week after COVID-19 vaccination. This is a further precautionary measure after vaccination to minimise risk of myocarditis and pericarditis.

10

Can COVID-19 vaccine be given together with other vaccines?

COVID-19 vaccine should preferably not be given simultaneously with other vaccines to avoid confounding possible adverse events.
Evidence regarding possible immune interference is also lacking currently. Defer the vaccination for at least 2 weeks, if possible. In circumstances where the vaccination could not be deferred (e.g. the risk of the adolescent defaulting subsequent appointment for vaccination is high), coadministration of routine childhood/adolescent vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine is allowed. If multiple vaccines are given at a single visit, give each injection in a different injection site. This advice may change as data become available.

11

When should I bring my child to seek a doctor?

Persistent fever for more than 48 hours
Experiencing runny nose, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath or loss of sense of taste and smell
Chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting or abnormal heartbeat such as fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart
Severe allergic reaction like short of breath, change of voicem, swelling of their face, throat, eyes or lips, a fast heartbeat, dizziness and weakness, rash all over the body.

12

Would it affect the fertility or next generation?

There is no evidence that the vaccine would cause infertility.
It would not affect the next generation as the vaccine does not enter into or change the DNA of the body’s cells.