Minister confirms push to give children shots by the end of the year

AUSTRALIA will have the capacity to vaccinate every child aged 12 to 15 years before the end of the year, the health minister has confirmed.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation

updated its advice on Friday morning, moving the minimum age of the Pfizer vaccine from 16 to 12.

From September 13, children aged 12 to 15 will be able to book an appointment to receive the Covid-19 jab from their GP.

State vaccination clinics are also expected to start offering teenagers appointments but the rollout for eligibility will be announced by state governments. Health Minister Greg Hunt said the update advice was an extremely important step in the vaccine rollout.

On the Moderna vaccine, Mr Hunt said the government was awaiting on advice from

Australia’s medical regulator on its use for 12- to 18-yearolds, but would make it available as soon as it received approval. Vaccinating younger people is expected reduce virus transmission in the broader population. Bookings will open for children aged 12 to 15 on September 13 to ensure the system did not become overloaded, as those aged 16 to 39 become eligible for Pfizer on August 30.