Moderna COVID-19 vaccine approved for kids 6–11
The Australian Government has accepted advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) to make the Moderna (SPIKEVAX) COVID-19 vaccine available for children aged six years and older from tomorrow (24 February 2022), broadening the previous recommendation for children aged 12 years and older.
On 17 February, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approved the Moderna vaccine for use in individuals aged six years and older, having previously provided approval for individuals aged 12 years and older on 3 September 2021. The TGA based its decision on data from the KidCOVE multisite clinical trial in Canada and the United States, which demonstrated that the immune response to the vaccine in children aged 6–11 years was similar to that seen in older age groups. Most side effects are mild and short term, and similar to those experienced by children who have received the Pfizer vaccine.
With ATAGI having now provided its own recommendation, and the Australian Government having already secured more than 25 million doses, the vaccine is ready to be rolled out to the children of Australia.
For children aged between six and 11 years old, a paediatric dose of Moderna is half the dose currently provided for people aged 12 years and over — two doses of 50 μg per dose (0.25 mL), eight weeks apart, or three doses for immunocompromised children. The recommended eight-week interval can be shortened to four weeks for children at risk of moderate to severe COVID-19 (eg, those with underlying health conditions), in an outbreak or before international travel.
Pfizer continues to be available to children aged five and over, and nearly half of children aged between five and 11 have already received one dose of the Pfizer vaccine since it became available in January this year. With Moderna being made available for children aged six and above, parents and carers will have more choice and flexibility in the vaccine they choose for their child.
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