Vaccine bookings open for children aged 5-11 in Australian capital

Bookings for children aged between five-11 to get vaccinations in Australia's capital opened on Monday.

Parents can now call and book a COVID-19 vaccination for their children, with appointments available from Jan. 10 next year.

Rachel Stephen-Smith, the Australian Capital Territory's health minister, said though young children are "less likely to suffer the more severe effects of COVID-19" there had been transmission among children throughout the pandemic.

"I know many Canberra parents are very keen to get their children vaccinated so they are better protected from the effects of COVID-19," she said in a statement.

"The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for five to 11 year-olds has been approved and recommended as a safe and effective vaccine, but if parents and carers have questions about COVID-19 vaccinations for their children, they should talk to their trusted health professional."

Australia has reported close to 4,000 COVID-19 infections across the country on Monday, after case numbers and hospitalizations surge again. There are 2,501 new cases of COVID-19 in New South Wales, and 1,302 in Victoria.