Helping children, parents and families during COVID-19
COVID-19 is a serious illness that can affect everyone in our community. By having your child vaccinated against COVID-19, you are protecting your child from getting seriously ill if they get infected with the virus.
Children with COVID-19 symptoms
Your child should be tested if they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, either at a testing clinic or with a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at home. Even if your child has been vaccinated, they should be tested if they develop COVID-19 symptoms.
Read more about what you should do if your child has symptoms. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Protecting your family
Children should practise hand-washing, good hygiene and other prevention measures. For younger children, it is important you:
- wash their hands often with soap and water (or use hand sanitizer if this is not possible)
- keep your child’s nose clean, wipe their face and wash their hands if they sneeze
- keep them home if sick
- maintain physical distance between elderly family members and vulnerable people.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Read more information for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Vaccinating your family
Children aged 6 months to less than 5 years with severe immunocompromise, disability and complex health conditions are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine.
All people aged 5 and over are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine. Extensive testing has shown that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for children (most will experience no or mild side effects) and provide strong protection against COVID-19.
All children over the age of 6 months should also be immunised against influenza.
Talking about COVID with your children
Take the time to talk to your children about COVID-19.
Children's Health Queensland has information and videos to help you explain what COVID-19 is, ways we're looking after ourselves and each other while COVID-19 is around and what is involved if any members of your family get sick.
It's important to tell them that most people experience mild symptoms and can be cared for at home.
Resources about talking to children about COVID-19
- How to talk with your children about COVID-19
- Eight tips to help comfort and protect children
- Talking to children about coronavirus
- SA Health’s story book about COVID-19 for young children
- World Health Organisation’s (WHO) story book for children 6 to 11 years old in English and many other languages.
Read or watch Birdie and the Virus with your child. This is a story to support the mental health and wellbeing of babies, young children, parents and families during COVID-19.
Planning child care during COVID-19
Talk to your family and friends and ask if they could care for your children if you get COVID-19 and need to go to hospital for care.
Parenting help
Mental health
It is normal to feel anxious, overwhelmed and stressed about your child’s health. Children may pick up on these emotions and need extra attention and reassurance. It’s important to be available to them as much as possible so they know they have support.
Kids Helpline are available 24/7 (for young adults and parents too). They have information, videos and other content for supporting your mental health.
You can also visit Emerging Minds for videos, fact sheets and links for advice on how to help your child cope.
Engaging with your child
Healthy parenting has resources to support you and engage your child. Read these tip sheets for advice on:
- planning one-on-one time
- staying positive
- creating a daily routine
- avoiding bad behaviour
- managing stress
- talking about COVID-19.
They are available in 90 languages.
The Triple P ‘Positive Parenting Program’ offers tips and resources to support positive parenting during COVID-19.