Dr Lexi

Dr Lexi

(Information current as of 8 August 2022)

 

You may have heard recently in the news that a COVID-19 vaccine has been approved and recommended by ATAGI (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) for SOME children aged 6 months- 5 years in Australia (3 August 2022)

WHO IS ELIGIBLE:

Children aged 6 months-5 years WHO ALSO HAVE one of these conditions:

  1. Severe Immunocompromise
  2. Disability
  3. Complex/Multiple Health Conditions which increase the risk of severe COVID

Which conditions qualify:

  • Severe primary or secondary immunodeficiency, including those undergoing treatment for cancer or immunosuppressive treatments
  • Bone marrow or stem cell transplant
  • Complex congenital heart disease
  • Structural airway abnormalities or chronic lung disease
  • Type 1 Diabetes mellitus
  • Chronic neurological or neuromuscular conditions
  • A disability that requires frequent assistance with activities of daily living, such as severe cerebral palsy or Down Syndrome

WHICH VACCINE IS RECOMMENDED?

  • Moderna (SPIKEVAX) is the only vaccine currently recommended in Australia in this age group for children with the above listed conditions

WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE?

  • 2 doses of vaccine, 8 weeks apart
  • Dose is 25 mcg (¼ of adult dose)
  • Those with severe immunocompromise are recommended to receive a 3-dose primary schedule

CAN COVID VACCINE BE GIVEN WITH OTHER IMMUNISATIONS?

  • In children < 5 yrs, an interval of 7-14 days is preferred between Moderna COVID vaccine and other vaccines to minimise the risk of fever

HOW SOON AFTER HAVING COVID INFECTION CAN MY CHILD HAVE COVID VACCINE?

  • Children 6 mths-5 yrs should wait 3 months after COVID infection before receiving COVID vaccine

WHY IS THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATION FOR SOME CHILDREN AND NOT ALL CHILDREN AGED 6mths-5yrs?

  • Children in special groups mentioned above are at highest risk of severe infection and hospitalisation with COVID-19
  • There is a very low risk currently of severe infection and hospitalisation in healthy children aged 6 mths-5yrs
  • A relatively low rate of paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS-TS) following COVID-19 infection age 6 mths- 5 yrs compared to older children (even less with current Omicron variants)
  • Increased risk of fever post immunisation in children aged 6 mths-5 yrs
  • Current constraints on global availability and domestic supply of Moderna vaccine for children aged 6 mths-5 yrs

NB: In USA, COVID vaccination (with both Moderna and Pfizer vaccine) in children aged 6 mths-5 yrs commenced in late June 2022 and is available to ALL children.

NB: COVID vaccination is recommended and available for ALL children in Australia older than 5 yrs of age

ATAGI will continue to monitor and evaluate evidence in effectiveness, duration of protection and vaccine safety in this age group and recommendations in Australia may change.

 

Dr Lexi

xxx

Instagram @drlexifry

Resources:

  • Melbourne Vaccine and Education Centre (MVEC) https://mvec.mcri.edu.au/
  • ATAGI statement: https://www.health.gov.au/news/atagi-recommendations-on-covid-19-vaccine-use-in-children-aged-6-months-to#:~:text=A%20paediatric%20formulation%20of%20the,years%20in%20the%20above%20categories.

Disclaimer: The content in this article is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care professional. Moreover views expressed here are my own and do not  necessarily reflect those of my employers or other official organisations.