“It does happen”
25 children with Covid-19 were admitted to ICU, the HSE has confirmed.
Most children who are diagnosed with the virus tend to have mild cases. They also typically recover at home.
However, some children have been hospitalised and even admitted to ICU following a Covid-19 diagnosis.
Speaking about the figures, the HSE’s Eileen Whelan said it is not common, but it can happen.
She confirmed that 25 children in the 0-4 cohort were cared for in ICU.
However, she stressed that this is rare.
She told Newstalk;
“When we look at the numbers, 1,075 children have been hospitalised in the 0-4 age group with COVID, and of that, 25 children have been admitted to pediatric intensive care – so it does happen.”
The news comes after the vaccination programme opened for children under 5.
From February 20th, children aged 6 months and over can now get their Covid-19 vaccine.
The vaccination will protect children against serious Covid-19 illness.
Children aged between 6 months and 4 years will be given a smaller dose of a Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.
The first round of vaccination is three doses.
The HSE explained that the immunity they get will be similar to the higher dose vaccine used in older age groups, but the dose is smaller.
“The second dose is given 3 weeks after the first, and the third dose 8 weeks after the second dose.
“For babies aged 6 to 12 months, the vaccine is given as an injection into the thigh.
“For children aged 1 to 4, the vaccine is given as an injection into the thigh or upper arm.
Parents have also been advised to leave 14 days between their child’s Covid vaccine and other vaccines.
The HSE also stressed that the vaccine is safe and meets its standards of safety and effectiveness.
