Children in this age group should be given a one-time jab with an mRNA vaccine, preferably with BioNTech/Pfizer, STIKO said on Tuesday.
Up until this point, STIKO had only recommend that children aged five to 11 with pre-existing conditions, and those who have contact with at-risk individuals, be given Covid shots - although healthy children were able to get jabbed if their parents organised it with a doctor.
Experts said the majority of children have likely had a Covid infection. They estimated that 77.5 percent of 5-11 year olds have had at least one contact with the virus.
For this reason, children aged 5-11 are only recommended to receive one Covid 19 vaccine dose for the time being, the standing committee said.
In order to make the vaccine suitable for young children, Pfizer/BioNTech has developed a lower-dosed version of its Covid vaccine.
STIKO also said children aged six and older could get a Moderna jab.
The vaccination should be administered at least three months after a known infection, the recommendation states.
The recommendation has been made as a precautionary measure because a renewed increase in Covid infections is expected in autumn and winter, STIKO said.
"The initial one-time vaccination aims to build up as good a basic immunity as possible now," experts said.
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In Germany, just under 20 percent of 5-11 year olds are vaccinated.
STIKO said that children who have already received two jabs shouldn't receive another shot at the moment.
But for children with underlying illnesses or who have contact with at-risk groups, STIKO confirmed the recommendation of basic immunisation with two doses as well as a booster jab on top of those.
A general vaccination recommendation in Germany has been in place for children over the age of 12 for some time, while no Covid vaccine has yet been approved for children under five.
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