- Australian children aged who are at risk of severe Covid can now get a booster
- Immunocompromised teens and those with complex conditions are eligible
- Previously no boosters were recommended for children aged 12 to 15-years-old
- The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advised the extension
- Otherwise healthy children are still considered to be protected by two shots
By Cassandra Morgan For Australian Associated Press and Max Aldred For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 16:13 AEST, 9 June 2022 | Updated: 16:13 AEST, 9 June 2022
Australian children aged 12 to 15 who are at risk of severe disease will be eligible for a Covid-19 booster vaccine from next week.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended extending eligibility for the Pfizer booster to about 120,00 children starting on June 14.
They must have received their second dose at least three months ago, be severely immunocompromised, have a disability with significant health needs, or have complex or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe Covid.
ATAGI has recommended eligibility for booster shots be extended to at-risk children between the ages of 12 and 15 starting from next week
Otherwise healthy children who have received two vaccine doses are still considered to be well protected against severe disease.
Health Minister Mark Butler on Thursday welcomed the recommendation and encouraged anyone eligible to book in for their boosters.
Meanwhile, Australians’ uptake of potentially life-saving Covid-19 antivirals is slowly ramping up, as authorities look to simplify their distribution criteria.
Awareness of the drugs Lagevrio and Paxlovid has increased in recent weeks, largely thanks to media coverage. However, there is still some way to go.
Australian Medical Association vice-president Dr Chris Moy said the peak body was working with authorities to further advertise the antivirals.
