Children under 12 years are in line to be vaccinated against COVID-19, following the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) provisional approval of the Pfizer vaccine for youngsters.
Announced by outgoing Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, vaccination of five to 11 year olds is subject to final considerations and recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
Mr Hunt said the Department of Health would begin rolling out the Pfizer vaccine to the age group from 10 January.
“The TGA’s provisional approval of the Pfizer vaccine for five to 11 year olds was based on a careful evaluation of available data to support its safety and efficacy among this age group,” he said.
“The vaccine dose approved by the TGA for children aged five to 11 is the same safe and effective vaccine used for other age cohorts, however, is one-third the dose approved for those aged 12 and over.
“The Pfizer vaccine for five to 11 year olds will be distributed to vaccine providers in different packaging to the vaccine approved for people 12 and over, and will be clearly differentiated by being dispensed from orange-capped vials instead of grey or purple-capped vials.”
The Minister said the use of this vaccine in children aged five to 11 years should be given in two doses at least three weeks apart.
“It is expected the vaccines would initially be made available through General Practices Aboriginal Health Services, community pharmacies and State and Territory clinics,” he said.
“Once the final ATAGI advice is received, further information on how to book a COVID-19 vaccination will be provided.”
Mr Hunt said the first shipment of children’s doses were due to arrive in Australia by early January.
He said the TGA was currently evaluating an application from Moderna for its COVID-19 vaccine to be used in Australia for children aged six to 11.
