Covid-19 vaccine offers almost complete protection against serious illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 5 to 11-year-olds", it said. "Side effects tended to occur less frequently than in adolescents or adults.
They included pain at the injection site and tiredness, or less frequently headache, aching limbs or fever," the agency added.
The vaccinations were until now limited to children aged 12 or older. Switzerland is currently experiencing a strong fifth wave of the virus.
Only the Comirnaty and Moderna vaccine are authorised in Switzerland. The country joins Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain in Europe in giving the green light to the vaccination of children in this age group.