17 August 2021

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) has recommended that high-risk children aged 12-15 years receive Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination in line with recent ATAGI advice.

The initial recommendation includes children with pre-existing medical conditions such as severe asthma and diabetes as well as children with neurodevelopmental disorders who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection. Indigenous children and children living in remote communities are also prioritised.

Approximately 220,000 high-risk children aged 12 to 15 years are eligible now to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. It is likely that other COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination for younger children and adolescents will be shortly available, as it is for other viruses.

“Parents can be confident that the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines has been carefully evaluated through international clinical trials and analysis of real-world data," RACP President Professor John Wilson says.

“We encourage parents whose children are included in this important eligible group to assist them to get vaccinated to help protect them from COVID-19, while also reducing the chance that they may spread it to others.

“Paediatricians are more than ready to advise the young persons, parents and carers of children in this cohort about their child’s eligibility as well as respond to any concerns about the safety or effectiveness of the vaccine.”