Port Macquarie parents have expressed mixed views after Australia's medical regulator gave the green light to the COVID vaccine for the five to 11-year-old cohort.
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The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for the age group on December 5.
According to the Australian Government Department of Health website, it's expected a vaccination program will commence from January, 10 2022.
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Port Macquarie resident Jo Ashton has three daughters and said they will get vaccinated once the program is approved.
"I will book them in as soon as I possibly can," she said.
The Ashton family were forced to isolate for weeks due to a COVID-19 positive case at Tacking Point Public School.
"It's so disruptive when they're not vaccinated because they can become close contacts when they are near somebody," Mrs Ashton said.
"I want them to have less risk of catching COVID-19 and vaccinations are the best way to protect them."
Mrs Ashton's twin daughters Grace and Annabelle are 11-years-old and Emily is eight-years-old.
"I think they're happy to get vaccinated, as they don't want to miss out on school or any other social commitments," she said.
Mrs Ashton is a pharmacist and said she trusts the scientific information which is being published in relation to children receiving the vaccinations overseas.
"It's effective, safe and worthwhile," she said.
Port Macquarie naturopath and mother Melanie Lock said she hasn't entirely made up her mind as to whether she will vaccinate her children.
"I'm certainly going to take my time in making that decision," she said.
Ms Lock has spoken to parents who have been willing to receive the vaccines themselves, but are hesitant when it comes to their children.
"They are apprehensive about the vaccine rollout for children in this age group," she said.
Ms Lock said she and others hold concerns about the potential side effects from the vaccine for the younger age group.
"Especially during those critical developmental years," she said.
"We really don't know what the immediate or long term implications are of this new vaccination technology."
Ms Lock also expressed concern in relation to the potential vaccination mandates, which she said could impact the freedom of children.
"I have a son in this age group and he loves to play football," she said.
"Does this mean he can't attend those gatherings he enjoys?"
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