Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. I will ask the minister for health to add to my answer. If the minister for education wishes to add further to the answer as well, in relation to childcare arrangements that have been announced today, that would certainly be helpful.

We have received some interim advice from the immunisation advisory group which means that, for children aged between 12 and 15, we will be able to move to the position of being able to vaccinate children in those circumstances. I am advised by the Chief Medical Officer that there is nowhere in the world where vaccinations currently are being offered as part of a formal program to children under the age of 12. We do note that cases are presenting in children under the age of 12, but I'm also advised by the Chief Medical Officer that the serious illness that is associated with COVID is not presenting in them in the same way as with those of older ages. I have a 12-year-old child. I have no doubt that parents across the country will be concerned about the impact of COVID on those younger age groups.

Our next phase is to ensure that we're moving through vaccination of 12- to 15-year-olds, and that will be addressed this Friday. In addition to that, the advice of the Chief Medical Officer is that we should be seeking to vaccinate parents. Vaccinating parents, those who children come in contact with, is the most effective way of ensuring that children, particularly those who are under 12, are at a reduced risk of being infected by the COVID-19 virus. Those are the two principal lines of effort we're working down. I'll ask the Minister for Health and Aged Care to add to my answer.

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