Bendigo children as young as five will now be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine from January 10.
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The federal government confirmed the rollout across Australia would begin early next year, after the vaccine advisory group ATAGI provided its final recommendation.
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Bendigo Health chief executive Peter Faulkner said it was a positive thing for young people in the region.
"We think this will be a great thing for young people and for our responses as a community generally," he said.
"We do know that in recent times, primary school children have been exposed due to their unvaccinated status, they have been exposed to infection."
Mr Faulkner said more details on the rollout would be coming in the next couple of days.
"We do think there will be a fair turnout to GPs and it's understandable many parents will want to discuss this with their GP," he said.
We think this will be a great thing for young people and for our responses as a community generally.
- Bendigo Health chief executive Peter Faulkner
"We are expecting some advice in the coming days in the program and how that will be rolled out but we do expect to be commencing vaccinations in the new year."
About 2.3 million children will be able to receive the vaccine from January 10, with bookings for the age cohort to open from late December.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recommended doses be spaced eight weeks apart for the age group.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia would be one of the first countries in the world to offer the COVID-19 vaccine for children.
"As a parent, there are no more important decisions that you make than those about the health and wellbeing of your children," he said.
"This is another important step forward in our vaccination program."
It's expected GPs and pharmacies will largely be delivering doses of the vaccines to children.
Individual jurisdictions will be responsible for school-based rollouts should they decide to use that strategy.
Mr Morrison said the January 10 start date for child vaccines would allow for five to 11-year-olds to get their first dose before the start of the 2022 school year.
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"It gives ample opportunity, but it's a decision for parents - they make the health decisions for their children and we provide them the opportunity to do that," he said.
Advice from ATAGI about giving children aged between six and 11 the Moderna jab is expected over coming weeks.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the decision on Pfizer would give parents confidence and choice.
Bendigo residents have continued to roll up their sleeves in the fight against COVID-19, with Bendigo Health passing the 2000 mark on vaccine booster shots administered this week.
Australian Associated Press
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