COVID-19

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine approved by TGA for five to 11-year-olds

The TGA has approved the Pfizer vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11. The rollout is expected to commence as early as January 10, 2022.

Children primary school aged will soon be able to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations, with the Therapeutic Goods Agency (TGA) approving Pfizer for some of the youngest in Australia.

The TGA gave the green tick for Pfizer for children between the ages of 5 and 11. The rollout is expected to commence as early as January 10, 2022.

It is expected that, along with other age groups, Pfizer vaccinations will be given to approximately 2.3 million children in the 5-11 age bracket.

The vaccination roll out will initially begin in GP clinics, Aboriginal health services, community pharmacies and state/territory-based clinics.

The Federal Government hopes that this move will see most school children having received their first vaccination dose before the new school year begins.

The modelling is based around the same program that saw the major uptake of vaccinations for children between 12-15.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said in a statement that the TGA’s provisional approval of the Pfizer vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds was based on a careful evaluation of available data to support its safety and efficacy among this age group.

“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 aged 12 and over,” he said in a statement.

“As with other age groups, the use of this vaccine in children aged 5-11 years should be given in two doses at least 3 weeks apart.

“Once the final ATAGI advice is received, further information on how to book a COVID-19 vaccination will be provided.

“The Government has an agreement in place with Pfizer to receive sufficient supply of the paediatric vaccine for the entire population of children aged 5 to 11 in Australia.”

The TGA is now currently reviewing Moderna and its efficacy on the 5-11 age bracket.

As of December 10, South Australia’s vaccination rates are inching closer to that crucial 90 per cent double vaccinated rate. A total of 83.1 per cent of the eligible South Australian population has received both doses, with 90.7 per cent having had their first dose.

Find out more about TGA’s provisional approval of the Pfizer vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds here.

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