General News
4 August, 2022
COVID vaccines recommended for some under five-year-olds
Children as young as six months who have medical conditions which could increase the risk of a severe COVID-19 case are now recommended to receive the vaccine, while over 20 percent more Victorians have received their flu jabs this year compared to...
Children as young as six months who have medical conditions which could increase the risk of a severe COVID-19 case are now recommended to receive the vaccine, while over 20 percent more Victorians have received their flu jabs this year compared to 2021.
This week the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recom-mended the COVID-19 vaccination for children aged six months up to five years who have severe immunocompromise, disability, and those who have complex or multiple health conditions which increase the risk of severe COVID-19.
The recommendation is for two doses of a paediatric formulation of the Moderna vaccine, except for those with severe immunocompromise who will require three.
Currently, children aged six months to five years who are not at risk for severe COVID-19 are not recommended to receive the vaccine.
“These children have a very low likelihood of severe illness from COVID-19. However, this is under ongoing consideration based on data on the disease burden and epidemiology, vaccine supply, emerging data on vaccine use in this age group, and availability of new COVID-19 vaccines for this age group,” advice from ATAGI said.
On the influenza front, the State Government have been encouraging Victorians to get their flu shot with vaccines made free between July 1 and 10 — and flu rates in the state have declined from the peak in June.
More than 500,000 Victorians received a free vaccine as part of the program, and overall almost three million people have been vaccinated for influenza — a 22.2 percent increase from last year.
“By removing as many barriers as possible, hundreds of thousands more Victorians rolled up their sleeves for a flu vaccination this year and helped protect their loved ones and our health system,” Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said.
“Even though rates of flu have declined from their peak, it’s still not too late to receive your flu vaccination.”