Sunshine Coast Covid-19: 5-11-year-olds tipped to be next in line for Covid-19 vaccine

Sunshine Coast children aged 5-11 could be the next group to be eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccination, while teenagers have jumped at the chance to roll up their sleeves.

Sunshine Coast teenagers have been praised by a medical expert for their willingness to get the Covid-19 vaccine, while children aged 5-11 could be the next group to be eligible for the jab.

Australia’s medicine watchdog Therapeutic Goods Association has granted a provisional determination to allow Pfizer to apply for approval for a vaccine for children under 12.

Currently it is only available for use in children and adults aged over 12.

Local Medical Association’s Sunshine Coast president Dr Roger Faint said high school aged students had rushed to get the vaccine since it became available to them.

Dr Faint said about 50 per cent of vaccinations being administered at his Buderim practise were for teenagers.

“There’s so many school kids coming in, they’re really cracking along,” Dr Faint said.

“They just want to get it. Which is great, there’s less vaccine hesitancy.”

Pfizer must submit clinical evidence to the association before it is granted any approval.

University of the Sunshine Coast infectious disease expert Matt Mason said he believed it would be safe for children.

However, he said the trial phase was crucial, as with all vaccines.

“There’s no such thing as no risk, but in most cases the risk of getting Covid, outweighs the risk of getting the vaccine,” Mr Mason said.

“You will get the odd child who might have some problems, but the vast majority won’t have a problem.”

Mr Mason said the 5-11 age group were the next priority group in line for the rollout.

He said expected an approved rollout would be similar to the current system.

“I suspect it will be a similar booking process, they could do a school rollout or like elections,” Mr Mason said.

“Australia has a very strong childhood vaccination program, so adding another is not a big deal.”

Dr Faint predicted 5-11 year olds could receive the jab within three months, based on the overall vaccination rollout.

“It’s happening pretty quickly, the next three or four months, three to six certainly,” Dr Faint said.

“The science will need to be quite good for it.”