The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved the Comirnaty Paediatric (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds.
The TGA’s provisional approval of the vaccine was based on a careful evaluation of available data to support its safety and efficacy among this age group.
The paediatric vaccine dose is one-third the size approved for people aged 12 and over, however it is still a two-dose primary course. To deliver the smaller dose, a different orange-capped vial will be used to to clearly differentiate from the product currently used to vaccinate people 12 years and older.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) will provide recommendations on a vaccination program for 5 to 11-year-olds soon. Subject to ATAGI advice, it is expected a vaccination program for 5 to 11-year-olds will commence from 10 January 2022.
For more information, refer to TGA’s media release (5 December 2021).
Healthy North Coast will continue to update and support vaccination providers on the expanded COVID-19 vaccination program as more information becomes available.