Australia is considering whether to launch a booster program for young people under the age of 18, according to leading medical authorities.
The announcement came after more than 35,000 children had their first COVID-19 jab on the first day of the primary rollout for five to 11-year-old on Monday.
While more Australians are queuing to get their booster shots following the Omicron outbreak, the third shots are currently only recommended for people aged 18 and older.
A federal health department spokesman said the government was working to support applications for child boosters once more information was available.
“The Therapeutic Goods Administration is currently evaluating data on the Pfizer COVID-19 booster for individuals aged 16 to 17 years of age,” the spokesman told AAP.
“The Australian government continues to encourage individuals to complete a two-dose vaccination schedule, as this enables strong protection against severe illness and hospitalisation.”
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the country’s leading immunisation group, is consulting the government about whether to make boosters available for under 18s and how often they should be administered.
Meanwhile, deputy chief medical officer Michael Kidd said he believed the child vaccination rollout would lead to a decrease of virus cases in schools.
“We have enough of the Pfizer vaccine for every five to 11-year-old to receive their first dose by the end of this month,” he told the ABC, saying the number of vaccination sites nationwide increasing from 6,000 to 8,000,” Kidd said.
