Frequently Asked Questions
- fever
- cough
- sore throat
- headache
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- runny nose
- diarrhoea
- vomiting or nausea
- loss of the sense of smell or taste.
Other symptoms people may experience include muscle or joint pain, and loss of appetite.
If you are unsure if your child has symptoms of COVID-19, or if your child has a sudden onset of any COVID-19 symptoms, you should contact your local GP, hospital Emergency Department, or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
Before attending a GP clinic, it is important to phone ahead so they can make appropriate preparations for your visit.
- elderly people
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (as they have higher rates of chronic illness)
- people with chronic medical conditions
For more on COVID-19 and children, see the ‘Health Advice’ section on our Information for children, young people and families page.
Always remember to:
- clean your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs.
- cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing
- avoid contact with anyone who has cold-like symptoms
- keep your children at home from school or childcare if they are unwell
- try to stay at least 1.5 metres away from people coughing or sneezing
- if you or your child are unwell, avoid sharing utensils, cups and glasses
- get vaccinated.
For the latest school-related information, read these frequently asked questions
For the latest news and information on current restrictions and health directions in Queensland, visit the Queensland Health website. Check the Department of Education website for information on possible school closures.
- fever (or history of fever) OR respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, shortness of breath). Children may also experience other symptoms, such as runny nose, headache, loss of smell, loss of taste, nausea or vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue, diarrhoea, or a loss of appetite. Symptoms can vary depending on each case.
- People in quarantine, in accordance with current quarantine protocols.
- Contacts of confirmed or suspect cases.
- If you are concerned that your child may have COVID-19 and requires medical treatment, please take them to the your nearest Emergency Department.
Call emergency services on 000 if your child is very sick.
Please be assured, testing staff will make sure your child is comfortable and settled before performing the test.
If you child is sensitive about being touched or gets scared or aggravated in a medical setting, let staff know so they can work with your child in a way that keeps them calm.
Children and adults will only need to self-isolate if they have been in contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19.
As part of contact tracing, public health officials will contact people that your child has been in close contact with, which will include people at their school.
Children under 12 years are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, however Pfizer announced on Monday, 20 September 2021 that results from their clinical trials in children 5-11 years of age have shown the vaccine to be safe, well tolerated with a good immune response. In Australia, these findings will be considered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Technical Group on Immunisations before recommendations are made for this age group.
Check the latest information on vaccine eligibility and the rollout in Queensland.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) then reviews the available data on the safety and efficacy, the risk of COVID 19 infection for a specific group, and evidence of wider benefits and risks of vaccination.
Research from the United States supports the safety of the Pfizer vaccine in children aged 12 years and older. A trial of more than 2,200 adolescents showed the vaccine was safe and effective in reducing infection and produced a detectable immune response.
If you have specific clinical questions about the vaccination, please speak to your child’s treating specialist or General Practitioner.
- Queensland Health vaccination location
Registering your child online is the best way to secure an appointment at a Queensland Health vaccination location, including the Queensland Children’s Hospital. Walk-in appointments are available at selected locations, but cannot be guaranteed.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email inviting you to book an appointment in your local area when appointments become available.
Note: Parents and carers should follow the steps in this guide: Register and book on behalf of someone else (PDF). If you need help making a booking on behalf of your child, contact 134 COVID (134 268).
- Participating GP or Pharmacy
Book via the Australian Government Vaccine Clinic Finder and choose a location near you.
Additionally, physical distancing, good hand and respiratory hygiene are all important preventative actions we can take to prevent COVID-19 infection.
If there are any changes to your child’s outpatient appointment, we will contact you directly.
If you have any queries about your child’s outpatient appointment, please call the Children’s Health Queensland Outpatient Call Centre on 1300 762 831.
Children under 12 are not required to wear a mask but encouraged to wear one if they are willing to. It is not recommended that children under the age of two wear a mask for safety reasons. Face masks will be provided at the entry to the Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Read more about how to safely wear a face mask for you and your family.
To protect the health and safety of patients, staff and other visitors, you should not visit the hospital if you:
- are unwell
- have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or asked to quarantine
- have returned from overseas in the last 14 days (excluding safe travel zone countries)
- have had contact with a person with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- have visited a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days or since the hotspot was declared (whichever is shorter)
- have visited an interstate exposure venue in the last 14 days unless an exemption has been granted for an end of life visit
- have been in an interstate area of concern in the last 14 days or since the identified start date (whichever is shorter), unless they have received a negative COVID-19 test since entering Queensland
- have been tested for COVID-19 and are waiting to receive the results (except for tests due to surveillance testing obligations)
- have COVID-19 symptoms of fever (37.5 degrees or more), cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or fatigue.
On arrival at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, you will be asked a series of questions about your current health. We understand this may cause a short delay, but we appreciate your patience and support in helping us keep everyone at the hospital safe.
If you have general questions about COVID-19 and children, email COVIDquestions@health.qld.gov.au.
Note: This email should not be used for clinical enquiries. If you are concerned about your child’s health, seek medical advice from your child’s specialist, GP or other healthcare provider.
In an emergency always call 000.
