Australian children aged from 5 to 11 are now eligible for the Pfizer Covid vaccine, after the Therapeutic Goods Administration granted approval for its use. According to the government, there will be 3 million vaccine doses available over January for the 2.3 million children who will be eligible.
Where can children get vaccinated?
Most state-run vaccine clinics, some GPs, and some pharmacies are administering Pfizer doses for the 5 to 11 age group.
You can find a vaccine clinic at a GP or pharmacy through this link. Bookings for state-run vaccine hubs can be found on state and territory government websites. Here is Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, the ACT and Tasmania.
How does the Pfizer vaccine differ for children?
Children will receive two doses of the vaccine, eight weeks apart, and one-third of the dosage given to those aged 12 and over. To avoid mix-ups, the vaccine in 5 to 11-year-olds will be dispensed from vials with orange caps, instead of the purple or grey used in other age groups.
Is the Pfizer vaccine safe for children?
Clinical trials of the Pfizer vaccine in more than 2,000 children aged 5 to 11 showed it was “safe, well tolerated and showed robust neutralising antibody responses”, Pfizer reported in September.
For more information on the vaccine for children aged 5 to 11, please see the following link here.
More questions?
If you need help such as finding a testing or vaccination facility near you, or have questions specific to your personal circumstances, the Sonder team is here 24/7 to provide advice and assistance. Simply start a chat with us via the home screen of the Sonder app.