Australia’s regulatory agency for therapeutic goods has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15.
Health Minister Greg Hunt announced to the Seven Network that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has moved to lower the eligible cohort for the vaccine to include everybody 12-years-old and over.
Though the vaccine has been approved for this age group, they won’t be included in the rollout for some time and will wait in line until the rest of the adult population has had the chance to be vaccinated.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is “well” into conversations on prioritising children with underlying health conditions who are at more risk of serious illness to receive the vaccine.
“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 the immunocompromised children or those with underlying health conditions,” Minister Greg Hunt said.
“If ATAGI gives a second green light for the immunocompromised and kids with underlying medical conditions they would be immediately added to what’s called phase 1b, they would immediately be able to access the Pfizer [vaccine].”
The ATAGI will also review data from the US, where the vaccine has been made available to all children, when it is received in August or September.
The TGA is yet to publish the approvals Mr Hunt said were confirmed overnight.
Source: ABC News
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