Moderna COVID-19 vaccine approved for 'at-risk' children from 6 months to under five years of age

At-risk children from six months to under five years of age will soon have access to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommended approximately 70,000 young children at higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 be able to receive the vaccine from September 5.

The federal government says it has secured 500,000 doses of the vaccine which will be arriving in Australia later this week.

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At this stage, the vaccine will only recommended for children who are severely immunocompromised, have a disability, and those who have complex or multiple health conditions which increase the risk of severe COVID-19.

Last month, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approved a paediatric dose of the Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax, for children aged six months to up to six years old.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the vaccine would be made available to the most "vulnerable young children" who have significant health conditions.

"The Australian Government has secured supplies of this new vaccine for younger children and these vaccines will shortly distributed to vaccination sites," he said.

ATAGI says it is not currently recommending COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to under 5 years who are not at increased risk.

More information on when bookings open will be available later this month.

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