News

COVID-19 Vaccine for 5-11 years

December 13, 2021

The Pfizer COVID vaccine has received final approval by ATAGI for children aged 5 – 11 years in Australia.

International clinical trials involving children aged 5–11 have found Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to be safe and highly effective.

Vaccinations for children in Australia

  • COVID-19 vaccinations for 5-11 year-olds will commence the week of 10 January 2022, as per the Government announcement.
  • The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the only recommended vaccine for children aged 5-11 years.
  • The recommended interval between first and second dose is eight weeks.
  • Children will receive a dose equivalent to one third of a standard adult dose.
  • The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can be co-administered with other childhood vaccinations, however this may be associated with an increase in mild-moderate adverse events.

How does COVID-19 affect children

Children who contract COVID-19 are often asymptomatic or experience only a mild illness. Those who are symptomatic typically have a short illness with a median duration of 5 days.

However, children with certain medical conditions (including heart, lung and neurological conditions and obesity) have an increased risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.

Why should I get my child vaccinated?

Vaccination of children has many benefits including:

  • Prevention of the rare (but severe) outcomes of COVID-19 for the child
  • Reduced transmission of COVID-19 to other members of the child’s household, extended family, school and more vulnerable age groups in the community.
  • Reduced broader community hospitalization and ICU admissions, which lessens the strain on the health system.
  • Reduced parental absenteeism and isolation of children and their families in the event of further outbreaks.

What are the most likely side effects?

In international studies, children aged 5 – 11 years were more likely to experience local redness and swelling at the injection site than adolescents.

Systemic adverse reactions, such as fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills and fever, were less frequently observed in 5-11 year old children than in 16-to-25-year-olds. If at all, these reactions, like adults, were more likely to occur following the second dose.

How to book

You can book online – please click on COVID-19 Vaccine Registered Nurse. At this stage, appointments are available on Tuesdays and Fridays from 14 January. You will be required to complete a consent form as a guardian/parent of the child.

You can also contact the practice on 4284 4622 to make a booking.

The vaccine appointment

Please do not bring your child to the vaccination appointment if you or your child:

  • feel unwell with fever, cough, runny nose or other symptoms that could be from COVID-19
  • are waiting for COVID-19 test results, or have tested positive for COVID-19
  • are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, or
  • are in quarantine.