COVID-19 vaccinations for young children now expected to start later this year
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is increasing rapidly worldwide. There are a number of vaccines currently being developed against the virus, and there is a need to make sure that the most effective, safe, and affordable vaccine will be ready when the virus starts showing up in Australia.
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) was established in 1975. The NIP provides free, safe, and timely immunisations for children aged six months to 16 years. This program is a component of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s health promotion strategy.
The vaccine against COVID-19, or vaccines, are different from those for seasonal influenza. They consist of a live, attenuated virus of an animal, insect, or other animal species. The vaccine must be considered to be a vaccine and not a medicinal product.
The NIP has a requirement that all vaccines are manufactured in Australia. Currently there is no vaccine available that can be administered safely to children in Australia. This includes the Shingrix vaccine that is currently being tested in several countries such as Canada, India, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands.
If the Shingrix vaccine works, you may be able to administer it safely to infants and young children in Australia. If the Shingrix vaccine works, you could save lives by saving vulnerable children.
According to the COVID-19 Vaccine Trials Network Act (Cotran), “a study is being conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a candidate vaccine for the prevention of pneumococcal disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus”. They have set a deadline date of 14 May 2020 for registration of the study. If this date passes, no new study of the Shingrix vaccine is planned.
The Cotran Act also states: “The Cotran Act provides immunity from prosecution for the conduct of research without an ethics application under the Commonwealth Law and the National Health Act. The Cotran Act also