The National COVID Vaccine Taskforce has issued a bulletin for vaccination providers. Key messages on paediatric vaccination are available below.
Allocations for Comirnaty (Pfizer) (5 to 11 years) vaccine
Since 10 January 2022, more than 141,000 children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old across Australia have received their first dose of Comirnaty (Pfizer) (5 to 11 years) vaccine.
Some vaccination providers have expressed a desire to receive larger orders of Pfizer (5 to 11 years). The National COVID Vaccine Taskforce is currently reviewing and identifying opportunities to increase dose allocations. At this stage, the Vaccine Operations Centre is not able to assist with these requests.
If you require vaccine stock urgently, you are encouraged you to contact any nearby vaccination sites administering COVID-19 vaccines who may have excess doses available for redistribution.
Reporting a Pfizer (5 to 11 years) vaccination in the AIR
There is no change to the reporting requirements to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) for Pfizer with the introduction of the 5 to 11 year old age group.
When reporting the administration of a Comirnaty (Pfizer) dose to children aged 5 to 11 years, vaccination providers should report using the vaccine code: COMIRN, as they would for all other age groups.
It is mandatory for vaccination providers to report all COVID 19 vaccinations administrated on or after 20 February 2021.
Vaccine providers should use the latest version of their clinical software to make sure they meet reporting requirements. The Department of Health will continue to work with Services Australia to help software developers and vaccination providers meet their reporting obligations.
Read the taskforce’s bulletin (PDF, 290KB).