MODERNA UPDATE

ATAGI recommends Moderna for individuals aged 6 years and older

Following the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisional approval of the Spikevax (Moderna COVID-19) as a primary course vaccine for individuals aged 6 years and older, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has considered the regulatory authority’s advice and released a statement recommending that Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can be used as a primary course of COVID-19 vaccination in people aged 6 years and older.

The same vaccine preparation employed for older age groups will be used, however, the Moderna 6-11 years dose is half that of the dose used for the primary course for people 12 years and older; but the same as the booster dose (50μg per dose; 0.25mL) for adults.

At this stage, ATAGI does not recommend the use of mixed primary schedules in this age group.

Moderna is not currently recommended for anyone under the age of 6 years.

The Pfizer 5-11 (orange cap) vaccine continues to be the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for children who are 5 years of age.

Important information for practices administering Moderna

The Australian Government has accepted this advice and will immediately include the Moderna vaccine for children 6 years and over in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program. This means all primary care sites can commence administering Moderna to individuals aged 6 from 24 February 2022.

Clinicians who are considering administering Moderna to children are recommended to review the ATAGI advice carefully together with the TGA’s product information prior to administering Moderna to this cohort and, once available, are required to complete the specific training module for Moderna for children aged 6-11.

The dose for children aged 6-11 years old is 0.25mL (50 micrograms)

The Primary Care Provider Bulletin February 23 2022 is here