Moderna approved

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved provisional use of a fourth COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Moderna, which is already in use across much of the world. With Moderna to soon provide enough vaccine doses for 5 million Australians, here are some of your most common ones answered.

When will the Moderna vaccine be available in Australia? 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the first 1 million doses were on track to arrive in September and those doses would go to pharmacies. Batches of 3 million doses are also due to arrive in October, November and December. However, those batches will need to be tested before any of the Moderna shots go into Australian arms. It is not yet known how long that could take.

Who will get the Moderna shot?

The TGA says Australians aged over 18 can get the Moderna vaccine, however, the federal government is yet to set any eligibility requirements for it. Last month, the head of Australia’s vaccine taskforce, Lieutenant General John Frewen, said the introduction of the Moderna shot could allow younger Australians to choose which vaccine they wanted to receive as eligibility opened up. 

Does the Moderna vaccine require two doses?

Yes. Like the other vaccines approved for use in Australia, the Moderna formula requires two doses to fortify your immune system against COVID-19.

Is it safe for pregnant women? What about young people?

The World Health Organization says inoculation with the Moderna vaccine is suitable for pregnant women where the benefits outweigh the risks. The current health advice in Australia is that women be offered the Pfizer vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.

What are the common side effects?

In the US, the Food and Drug Administration has reported a range of minor side effects experienced by Moderna shot recipients, more commonly after their second dose of the vaccine. They include a fever, chills, pain at the injection site, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, headache, swollen lymph nodes or nausea and vomiting.