ATAGI recommends COVID-19 vaccine use in some children aged 6 months to 4 years

From 5 September 2022, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to 4 years who are severely immunocompromised, have a disability, or have complex and/or multiple health conditions.

Date published:
Audience:
General public

Children who are severely immunocompromised, have a disability, or have complex and/or multiple health conditions have an increased risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. Vaccination against COVID-19 will help reduce this risk.

Read ATAGI’s statement on COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 months to 4 years for the full list of conditions.

Children aged 6 months to 4 years who are not listed in the eligible categories are at a low risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19. They are not recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at this time.

All children aged 5 years and over can get the Pfizer vaccine now, and from 5 September can receive the Moderna vaccine.

When can I book an appointment for my child to receive a vaccine?

You can find a vaccine clinic near you by visiting the Vaccine Clinic Finder.

Doctors and vaccination providers are not currently taking bookings for the Moderna vaccine for eligible children aged 6 months to 4 years or those aged 5 years. More information about when bookings open on the Vaccine Clinic Finder will be available later this month (August 2022). Please don’t contact your doctor or vaccination provider yet.

Which vaccine will children receive?

Some children aged 6 months to 4 years are recommended to have 2 doses of the paediatric formulation of Spikevax (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine, taken 8 weeks apart.

COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5 to 11 years

Children aged 5 years and older may receive the Comirnaty (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine.

It is preferred that children aged 5 years and over have the same brand of vaccines for both doses.

COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines

You should wait 7 to 14 days between your child’s COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines to minimise the risk of severe side effects.

If your child has had COVID-19

Your child should wait 3 months after testing positive to COVID-19 before they have another COVID-19 vaccine dose. The next scheduled dose should be given as soon as possible after 3 months. Your child should still have all the recommended doses for their age and health needs.

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