ATAGI recommend the COVID-19 vaccination for some children aged 6 months to under 5 years

Australia’s immunisation experts, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, recommend COVID-19 vaccination for some children aged 6 months to under 5 years who have an increased risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccination will help reduce this risk.

Date published:
Audience:
General public

Australia’s vaccination experts from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation  (ATAGI) recommend children who are aged 6 months to under 5 years, get vaccinated against COVID-19 if they have certain health conditions or disability which increase their risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.

The Spikevax (Moderna) vaccine is approved for children aged 6 months to under 5 years with the following or similar conditions:

  • severe primary or secondary immunodeficiency, including those undergoing treatment for cancer, or on immunosuppressive treatments as listed in the ATAGI advice on third primary doses of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised
  • bone marrow or stem cell transplant, or chimeric antigen T-cell (CAR-T) therapy
  • complex congenital cardiac disease
  • structural airway anomalies or chronic lung disease
  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus
  • chronic neurological or neuromuscular conditions, or
  • a disability that requires frequent assistance with activities of daily living, such as severe cerebral palsy or Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21).

Read the full ATAGI statement on vaccination for children aged 6 months to under 5 years here.

It is recommended eligible children have 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, given 8 weeks apart. For children who are severely immunocompromised, it is recommended they have a third dose 8 weeks after their second dose. A third dose will increase the protection for these very vulnerable children.

If children have been infected with COVID-19, it is recommended that they wait 3 months before receiving their next COVID-19 vaccine dose. Waiting 3 months between infection and vaccination is likely to provide more protection from the virus for longer.

For more information about vaccinations for children aged 6 months to under 5 years visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website or call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.

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