Experts are urging parents to get their young children vaccinated against COVID-19.
It comes as almost half a million Kiwi children aged five to 11 will be eligible for the children's dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Monday.
These kids will get a children's version of the vaccine that is a lower dose and smaller volume than the version given to older Kiwis.
Associate Professor of the School of Medical Sciences, Siouxsie Wiles, said it is a privilege to have such a safe and effective vaccine for children.
"I’m really grateful that our younger children will now be able to participate in protecting themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19," Prof Wiles said. "The real-world data is clearly showing that Pfizer’s children’s vaccine is safe and effective."
Professor Wiles said in the United States, 8.7 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine had been given to 5-11-year-olds, with an analysis of the data from the reporting system VAERS showing there were no deaths.
Out of the 4249 reports, most were for errors with how the vaccine was stored or prepared or for minor side effects like fatigue or headaches.
Prof Wiles said data highlights the inequality between lower and higher-income countries.
"It is a privilege to have such a safe and effective vaccine being rolled out to our younger children, and for me highlights once again the global disparities in access to vaccines."
She said there were just 13 doses per 100 people in lower-income countries, compared to 173 doses per 100 people in higher-income countries.
"No one is safe until we are all safe, so I hope that people will take up the opportunity to get their children vaccinated, to get their own booster doses, and to advocate for access to vaccines for those less privileged than us," Prof Wiles said.
Te Pūnaha Matatini complex systems researcher Dion O'Neale said in a statement the children's vaccine rollout will help with community transmission, especially due to Aotearoa having a relatively young population.
"Vaccinating five to 11-year-olds will be a big step forward for reducing opportunities for COVID-19 transmission and protecting against severe symptoms from breakthrough infections," Dr O'Neale said.
"The low case numbers for COVID that we have seen recently, have all taken place against a background of children being out of school and many adults being on holiday," Dr O'Neale said. "As children return to school, it is important that we try to ensure they have the highest rates of protection possible, through getting them vaccinated quickly."
Immunologist Dianne Sika-Paotonu said an equity focus with appropriate prioritisation is crucial for the rollout.
Dr Sika-Paotonu said in a statement that 20 percent of those affected by the current Delta outbreak were tamariki aged nine years and under, and therefore not protected from the virus.
With vaccination levels for Māori not far behind the national average and the Capital Coast DHB reporting 90 percent of Māori fully vaccinated on Thursday, there are hopes the rates can be continued.
"This is a result of relentless work, commitment, energy and effort by Māori and Pacific teams working tirelessly to drive up vaccination levels and protect their communities by addressing accessibility issues, reducing barriers and building trust – this work must be supported to continue," Dr Sika-Paotonu said.
More than 90 percent of 12 to 15-year-olds in Aotearoa are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
