New kids’ jab as Covid-19 hits 2.3m Australians in just seven weeks

A new Covid-19 vaccine approval is set to supercharge the rollout for Aussie primary school children, as the Omicron variant sweeps the nation.

Australian primary school children will be able to get a new vaccine, with Moderna set to be approved for six to 11-year-olds on Wednesday.

The approval by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has reignited calls for Covid-19 vaccinations to be rolled out in schools to ease pressure on the health system and allow state governments to lift restrictions earlier.

It comes as new figures show that 2.3 million Australians have contracted Covid-19 since January 1.

There had only been 400,000 cases in total before that date, with the fast-moving Omicron variant sweeping the nation.

The Moderna dose will be 50 micrograms for children – compared with 100 micrograms for adults – given over two jabs with a four-week gap.

The half-dose measure means vaccinators would simply have to draw less out of the same vial, with existing stock used, speeding up the roll out.

Children will have a new option, with Moderna being approved for 6-11 year olds.

Pharmacies are likely to do the bulk of the Moderna jabs, with walk-up appointments making it easier for parents to get their children immunised.

A source said the Moderna jab would help push up vaccination rates among children.

The Victorian government is offering Covid-19 jabs for kids at zoos and children’s festivals, while in NSW there will be a pop-up clinic at Taronga Zoo.

However, a vaccination program in schools would supercharge the rollout, the source added, but so far state governments have not adopted them out across the board.

“We really need to get the kids’ vaccination rates up, we could get an extra 15 per cent if there were school vaccination programs,” the source said.

Australia has the fifth-highest vaccination rate for primary school children in the world, with 49.3 per cent receiving their first jab – behind only Singapore, Spain, Canada and Iceland.

Adult booster shots hit 11 million on Tuesday night, with 61.7 per cent of those eligible already receiving their third jab.

A spokesperson for Operation Covid Shield, led by Lieutenant General John Frewen, said school-based programs were a matter for state and territories, but added the operation was looking at ways of lifting booster rates and 5-11 vaccine numbers for 5-11-year-olds.

Lieutenant General John Frewen. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Lieutenant General John Frewen warned against complacency.

“Omicron is dangerous and I would urge everyone eligible to get your booster as soon as possible so you stay up to date and remain protected against Covid,” he said.

“There does appear to be some complacency coming in. Don’t risk getting Covid, and to anyone who’s had it and incorrectly thinks they can’t get Covid again, you still need to get a booster.

“Whilst the booster program is going much faster than the primary course rollout, there is always more we can do.”

A Federal Health Department spokesperson said “the end of holidays naturally coincides with less vaccine uptake as children return to school”.

“The Commonwealth is working with the states and territories to make access as easy as possible for students and parents, and that could include the pilot of vaccination programs at schools.”

The Therapeutic Goods Administration provisionally approved the Moderna jab for children last week, but ATAGI’s sign off means it can now go into arms.