The decision by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to provisionally approve the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, SPIKEVAX, for use in children aged from six months to five years has been welcomed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia
The Acting National President of the Pharmacy Guild, Nick Panayiaris, said the TGA decision was good news for patients and families of the demonstrated safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
"Enabling children aged from six months to five years to receive a paediatric dose of the SPIKEVAX vaccine adds to the range of people now able to be protected," Mr Panayiaris said.
"Until now, this vaccine has been approved for immunisation to help prevent COVID-19, or reduce its impact, in individuals aged from six years and older, and as a booster dose for adults aged 18 years and older.
"Clearly, extending the age group of children eligible for the vaccine will help to provide more people with protection from the most severe outcomes of COVID-19, such as hospitalisation and potentially even death."
Mr Panayiaris said pharmacists now await the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommendation to administer the vaccine under the new TGA guidelines.
"If that recommendation comes through it is critical that all the States and Territories look to amend their regulations to enable pharmacists to administer the vaccine to children within this age group," he said.
"We need to act cohesively and swiftly to protect the children in this age group, particularly as we are seeing a significant surge in COVID-19 cases across Australia.
"The Guild urges all jurisdictions to act uniformly as a matter of priority so that the approvals for pharmacists to administer the vaccine to children in this age group are consistent across Australia.
"State and Territories acting to enable pharmacists to administer the vaccine will ensure it reaches as many individuals in this cohort of patients as possible.
"Over 8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered through community pharmacies highlighting the pivotal role pharmacies have played, and are continuing to play, in helping manage this pandemic.
"The Guild will keep members up to date on the TGA approval and advice from ATAGI."
