Protecting your child from COVID-19

COVID-19 (coronavirus) can affect children as well as adults.

But cases of COVID-19 are much less common in children. Children generally get a milder infection than adults. They often have no symptoms.

Children do not spread the virus more than adults and are rarely the cause of the virus spreading in households.

Read about what to do if your child has symptoms of COVID-19

Non-urgent advice: Don't wait to get help

Phone your GP if you are worried about your child's health

Protecting your child

The most important things you can do to protect your child are:

encourage them to get a COVID-19 vaccine if they are aged 12 or older
follow the advice on protecting yourself and others from COVID-19
look out for symptoms of COVID-19 - if your child has symptoms, isolate your child from other people and arrange a test
encourage your child to wash their hands regularly and properly
clean and disinfect surfaces in your home. For example, door handles, TV remotes and the toilet flush.
follow advice to prevent your child from catching or spreading viral infections

Read about explaining COVID-19 to your child

COVID-19 vaccines for children

People aged 16 and over can now register for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Children aged 12 to 15 can also now register for a vaccine. But they will need a parent or guardian's consent to get vaccinated. Read more about deciding on vaccination for 12 to 15 year olds.

COVID-19 vaccines are currently not approved for children under the age of 12.

Face coverings and children

Face coverings are not recommended for children under the age of 13. Young children may not be able to follow the advice about wearing a face covering correctly. But they should wear a face covering if their doctor or healthcare worker advises this. For example, when attending a hospital clinic.

Children over 13 should follow the advice for adults around face coverings. They must wear a face covering in shops and on public transport, and should wear a covering when it is difficult to maintain a 2 metre distance from other people.

All secondary school children should wear a face covering in secondary school, even if they are under 13. This is because they are at the same developmental stage as their peers and can follow the advice on using face coverings properly.

How your child should wash their hands

Going to school

All children should go to school unless they:

have a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more
have other common symptoms of COVID-19 - a new cough, loss or changed sense of taste or smell, or shortness of breath
have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19
live with someone who is unwell and may have COVID-19

It is not common for a child to pass the virus on to other children in school. Children who do get the virus, usually get it from adults. This is particularly true for children under the age of 13.

Measures in schools to reduce the risk include:

hand hygiene
cleaning measures
reduced mixing between children
fewer objects going in and out of school
face coverings for secondary school students - face coverings are not recommended for younger children

Read support information from gov.ie for parents and children as they return to school

School and children with health conditions

There is no reason a child with any of the following health conditions cannot go to school:

asthma
cystic fibrosis
diabetes
inflammatory bowel disease
neurodisability

But children may need to stay away from school if they have:

recently had a transplant
severe immunodeficiency from very recent cancer treatment
unstable or severe cystic fibrosis

Their specialist can advise you if your child needs to take any extra precautions. Contact the specialist and GP straight away if your child gets COVID-19.

School children and adults at higher risk

Children should return to school even if they live with someone who is:

It is important for a child’s overall wellbeing to go to school. But parents or family members at higher-risk from COVID-19 should take extra care to socially distance from other adults. For example, at school pick up times.

Children with health conditions

Children with underlying health conditions may be vulnerable to any infection.

But the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 seems to be low, even if your child has:

an underlying health condition
special healthcare needs

If your child has a health condition they and everyone in the family should still:

be extra careful in watching out for symptoms
strictly follow the advice on good hygiene and hand washing

Your child should try and keep up their normal activities and go to school. This is good for their overall wellbeing.

If you have concerns about your child's health condition, ask their specialist team for advice.

A small number of children with COVID-19 have developed an inflammatory syndrome called paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS). This condition is very rare. It mainly affects children who do not have a health condition.

Children with a health condition and symptoms of COVID-19

If your child has a health condition and gets symptoms of COVID-19:

isolate your child from other people - this means keeping them at home and completely avoiding contact with other people. This includes other people in your household - read advice on self-isolation
phone your GP and specialist - they will advise you if your child needs a COVID-19 test

Exercise and play

All indoor and outdoor activities for children should follow public health guidelines.

If you and your child go to a play area:

follow social distancing guidance - keep 2 metres from other children and adults
get your child to wash their hands before and afterwards
use hand sanitiser when hand washing facilities are not available
make sure your child follows good hygiene practices when coughing or sneezing

Children taking part in sports, youth clubs and other activities

Children can take part in non-contact training outdoors. This should be in pods of 15 people or less. Only individual training is allowed indoors.

If your child moves between parent or carer's homes

Court orders in relation to access, maintenance and guardianship have not changed. They should still be followed.

If your child is due to get vaccines (immunisation)

Your child should still get their vaccines as normal.

But if your child has symptoms of COVID-19, they will need to self-isolate. Do not take them to your GP. Phone your GP and they will postpone the vaccines for a few weeks.

When your child is out of self-isolation, phone your GP to make a new appointment.