Medsafe have officially approved the Pfizer vaccine
for children under 12.
More on this story soon,
but first we go to Wellington,
where another large crowd of protestors
gathered at Parliament today.
Again they opposed vaccine mandates and other Covid-19 restrictions.
For more let's cross live to Te Okiwa Mclean
standing by at Parliament,
Te Okiwa,
how big was the protest?
Was it bigger than the last protest?
Scotty,
it definitely wasn't as big as the protest last month
but the difference this time
is that there was more tension and aggression
from those who gathered.
The Media here at Parliament
decided we would not go down to the courtyard
in front of Parliament,
instead we watched the protest from porch of Trevor Mallards office
as a precaution to keep us all safe.
The protest was organised by followers of Brian Tamaki
and Destiny Church,
even though he was not present.
Despite the forecast,
they came in force.
Protesting the Governments vaccine mandates
and Covid-19 restrictions.
Thousands marched the streets of the Capital by foot,
on shoulders and by motorcycle.
They reached Parliament at midday,
with Christmas looming
they only have one wish to Santa Clause.
Police presence was doubled this round
in case tensions arose
but fortunately it was not required.
Now that that is done
the biggest news of the day
and most importantly for our Māori parents,
grandparents and guardians of our children
Medsafe have granted provisional approval
for the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine
for children aged 5 to 11 years old.
I spoke to Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare,
and here's what he had to say.
Because Medsafe have approved child vaccinations
and soon it will appear before Cabinet.
Then we will decide what happens next.
But I know we the Government
are talking with Māori health providers
and Māori experts
to decide and think about the decision
to vaccinate our children.
How will it be distributed?
Will it be distributed through schools?
That's one avenue we're looking at,
but you and I both know
that some of our children don't attend school.
Schools are the easiest way,
however I've seen over these months that whānau is the goal.
So we need to focus on community and whānau.
And then will you look at those aged under five years old?
Maybe.
Pfizer says they have looked into that.
I know that some of the cases in recent months
have been babies.
So no doubt.
But for now,
we're looking at our children aged five and over.
If approved by Cabinet,
the rollout of the paediatric Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine
is expected to start in Aotearoa
no later than the end of January 2022.
You're on to it Te Okiwa.
That was an awesome report.
Thank you.
Tēnā koe.