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The Pfizer Vaccine Has Been Approved For Children Over 12 In Australia

The Pfizer Vaccine Has Been Approved For Children Over 12 In Australia

Based on the short term safety data, the TGA believes kids will be fine to receive their jab.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for children over the age of 12 in Australia.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has finally ruled on whether young teenagers could receive the vaccine and now work is underway to determine when they will get their turn.

"The decision has been made on the basis of short term efficacy and safety data," the TGA said in a statement. "Continued approval depends on the evidence of longer term efficacy and safety from ongoing clinical trials."

Children 16 and older have already been provisionally approved for the vaccine, however the TGA has still been researching the effects of the jab on younger people.

It's not expected children aged 12 to 15 will get their first jab for a while as the rest of the population needs to get theirs first.

PA

However, the federal government is hoping to prioritise vulnerable children in this age bracket.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt told Channel 7: "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.

"If [Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation] 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 approval time for the Pfizer vaccine for children is expected to take up to a month, according to News Corp.

He added that 'protecting children would be an important and welcome additional step in the national vaccination program'.

Mr Hunt said the expanded age bracket for vaccines won't affect their supply as they have 'significantly' planned for this step to happen.

Data from around the world where children have been permitted to be vaccinated will be used by authorities to make up their minds about the rollout.

Children in the UK have reported suffering symptoms months after recovering from the coronavirus. However, Britain's version of the ATAGI hasn't yet approved Pfizer for 12 to 16-year-olds.

The US has been vaccinating children under 16 for months and President Joe Biden is set to get younger Americans jabbed from September.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Australia