Kids and COVID-19: when will they be vaccinated?

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There have been growing tensions between state governments and the Commonwealth about the national road map to reopening the economy and the country.

With most of the eastern seaboard still in lockdown, Prime Minister Scott Morrison stressed on Monday we “can’t stay in the cave forever” once vaccination targets of 70 per cent and 80 per cent are reached.

But those targets only include the eligible population, currently those aged over 16, which would leave millions of children unvaccinated.

With children nine and under accounting for roughly one in four new cases, there are growing concerns about the effect the virus could have on children.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is expected to approve the use of COVID-19 vaccines on 12-15 year olds within days. But how safe are vaccines for children, and are there enough supplies to offer jabs to everyone who wants or needs them?

Today on Please Explain, federal health reporter Rachel Clun joins Bianca Hall to discuss the federal vaccination rollout, and when we can expect younger children to be eligible for vaccines.

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