The federal health department has updated their eligibility for Pfizer vaccinations to include people who are pregnant.
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The change comes after the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) made a joint statement in June confirming the Pfizer vaccine was safe for pregnant people.
"There is a possibility of vertical transmission of the COVID-19 virus and an increased incidence of third trimester premature birth, probably as a result of medical intervention for maternal illness," the statement read.
"Different technologies have been adopted to develop the six major vaccines that have undergone clinical trials. These include the use of novel mRNA vaccines, viral vectors and inactivated viral particles. They do not contain live virus and they cannot transmit COVID-19.
"They all aim to evoke an immune response against coronavirus.
"It is uncertain as to the extent to which COVID-19 vaccines protect against acquiring the disease, or limit transmission, but initial data has demonstrated reduction in the length and severity of disease if a person were to become infected.
"Based on known data from other similar vaccines, it is unlikely that COVID-19 vaccines pose a risk to a pregnant woman or her fetus."
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt confirmed the Therapeutic Goods Administration ruling that the Pfizer vaccine had been approved for use among Australian children aged 12 to 15.
Alongside pregnant people, those eligible for the Pfizer vaccine include those who are 40 years and older, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person aged 16 and over, an NDIS participant aged 16 years and over, and unpaid and informal carers of NDIS participants of any age.
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People with a temporary visa holder aged under 50 years who are currently in Australia and have been approved for return travel to Australia through the travel exemption process are also eligible for Pfizer along with quarantine or border workers, health care workers, and aged care or disability care residents or workers.
Those who are 16 and over with an underlying medical condition or significant disability, a critical or high risk worker aged 16 and over including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing or have a Australian Border Force outwards travel exemption in an eligible category can also receive their Pfizer vaccine.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed there were 14 new coronavirus cases reported in the state on Friday, 10 of those cases were in isolation for the entirety of their infectious period.