- Children as young as 12 may soon be able to receive Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccination, after a ruling by Australia’s drug watchdog
- The Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) announced its approval of the jab on Friday paving the way for 12- to 15-year-olds to get immunised
- Although children are now approved for the jab, they won’t be included in the vaccine rollout until the government’s immunisation advisory panel signs off
- Teenagers aged 16 and above are already approved to receive the Pfizer vaccine, however, those under 40 aren’t in line to receive the jab until the end of the year
- Additionally, only those aged over 18 can opt to receive the AstraZeneca jab, as the immunisation isn’t recommended for those under 60
Children as young as 12 may soon be able to receive Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccination, after a ruling by Australia’s drug watchdog.
The Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) announced on Friday it had approved the jab being used in 12- to 15-year-olds.
The TGA said the decision came after a “careful evaluation of the available data” including clinical studies.
Despite the approval though, children and teenagers won’t be included in the vaccine rollout until the government’s immunisation advisory panel signs off.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) was expected to make a decision on kids over 12 using the Pfizer vaccine next week.
If ATAGI approves the jab for those over 12, the Federal Health Minister said the government would prioritise those with pre-existing health conditions.
“Our plans are in place to roll out what is more likely, on the early advice I have, is that they will fast-track vaccines for 12- to 15-year-olds for their immunocompromised children or those with underlying health conditions,” Mr Hunt told Channel 7.
Teenagers aged 16 and above were already approved to receive the Pfizer vaccine, however, those under 40 weren’t in line to receive the jab until the end of the year.
Additionally, only those aged over 18 can currently opt to receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, as the immunisation isn’t recommended for those under 60.
ATAGI doesn’t recommend the AZ jab for younger generations due to the rare blood clotting risk associated with the vaccine.