Children between the ages of 5 and 11 will be able to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine from early next year, following approval from Australia’s immunisation advisory body.
The federal government has now accepted the recommendation from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) about expanding the rollout to children in the age group.
The rollout is expected to begin on January 10, with children aged between 5 and 11 to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Bookings will open in late December.
“In one month from today, around 2.27 million Aussie kids aged five to 11 years will have the opportunity to roll up their sleeve and get vaccinated against COVID-19,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
“This will bring great relief to so many mums and dads, who now have a choice on what’s best for their kids. They can have peace of mind knowing this has the tick from the best medical regulators in the world.”
In a statement, Health Minister Greg Hunt said the vaccine dose approved by the TGA for children aged 5 to 11 is the same safe and effective vaccine used for other age cohorts, however, is one-third the dose approved for those 12 and over.
“The Pfizer vaccine for 5 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,” Hunt said.
Australia has about 2.3 million children aged between 5 and 11. The first shipment of children’s doses are due to arrive by early January, and will undergo the same rigorous batch testing processes as other batches of COVID-19 vaccines.
Hunt said the vaccines will be available for this cohort of children at GPs, Aboriginal Health Services, community pharmacies and state and territory clinics. He said the cohort will have the opportunity to receive a first dose in the lead up to, and in parallel with school returning in 2022.
Before the rollout begins, healthcare providers will receive childhood-specific vaccination training.
The TGA and ATAGI are currently examining Moderna’s application for its vaccine to be used in children aged 6 to 11.