Calls for borders to remain shut while children are vaccinated

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved a modified Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5 to 11.
The jab contains a smaller dose of the vaccine and will be administered three weeks apart.
The rollout is scheduled to begin January 10, around the time Western Australia is expected to reach a 90 per cent vaccination rate and the borders are expected to be opened
But AMA WA President Dr Mark Duncan-Smith says that should be delayed.
“We’ve got Delta obviously at the moment, we’ve got Omicron knocking at the door already in the east cost,” he said on 6PR Mornings.
“There’s evidence coming out of South Africa that the Omicron variant is more severe in children.
“They’ve seen admission rates to hospital go up four or five times, compared to when the Delta wave occurred.”
Education Minister Sue Ellery said there’s no health advice to make the vaccine mandatory for children, but expects there will be a high take up.
“It’s not mandatory for any children currently, and there’s no advice that says we should make it mandatory,” she said on 6PR Mornings.
“I do know though in the conversations I have with parents who contact me want to get their five to eleven years old vaccinated as well.
“So I do expect there will be a high take up.”
Press PLAY to hear more from AMA WA President Dr Mark Duncan-Smith and Education Minister Sue Ellery below
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