Australian health authorities have approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for all children aged 5 to 11, with the rollout of the vaccine to begin in January. The news of the approval comes after the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) gave the green light to the new formulation of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, also known as Comirnaty, in Australia on Dec. 5. The Australian Technical Advisory Group (ATAGI) has recommended (pdf) that children receive the two-shot vaccine regime eight weeks apart in normal circumstances, but have said that in regions where there is an outbreak, the time can be shortened to three weeks. The children’s version of the Pfizer vaccine will also only be one-third of the standard dose. ATAGI said that its recommendation takes into account the direct benefits of vaccination for children in preventing illness as well as the indirect benefits of vaccination for the child, their family, and the broader …