Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is now recommended for children aged 6 months to under 5 years who are severely immunocompromised, or have disability, as well as those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19.
These include children with the following or similar conditions:
- Severe primary or secondary immunodeficiency, including those undergoing treatment for cancer, or on immunosuppressive treatments as listed in the ATAGI advice on 3rd primary doses of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised;
- Bone marrow or stem cell transplant, or chimeric antigen T-cell (CAR-T) therapy;
- Complex congenital cardiac disease;
- Structural airway anomalies or chronic lung disease;
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus;
- Chronic neurological or neuromuscular conditions; or
- A disability that requires frequent assistance with activities of daily living, such as severe cerebral palsy or Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21).
Read the full ATAGI statement on vaccination for children aged 6 months to under 5 years here.
5 year olds
All children aged 5 years and above are already recommended for COVID-19 vaccination.
Previously, only the Pfizer vaccine was registered for use in 5-year-olds and Moderna was registered from 6 years of age.
Five year olds will now be able to receive either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
It is preferred to complete a primary vaccination schedule in children aged 5 years or older with the same brand of vaccine for both doses.
