Eligible teenagers can now get their COVID-19 booster vaccines following recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
Announced by Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, the booster dose for 16 and 17 year olds is to be one dose of the adult Pfizer vaccine three months after their primary course.
“There are approximately 580,000 16 and 17 year olds in Australia, with 370,000 immediately eligible to receive their booster dose,” Mr Hunt said.
“ATAGI’s advice for 16 to 17 year olds follows Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as a booster for this age group,” he said.
“Aussie kids who were 15 years old when they had their second COVID-19 vaccine, and are now 16 years old, will also be eligible for a booster dose.”
Mr Hunt said it was also highly recommended that immunocompromised 16 and 17 year olds should receive a booster dose as soon as they became eligible.
The Minister said the ATAGI recommendation was good news for many Years 11 and 12 students who were entering an important phase in their education.
“Teenagers have made many sacrifices throughout this pandemic; their social and educational lives have suffered through lockdowns and restrictions, along with the impact on their mental health and wellbeing,” he said.
“It is critical for their health and wellbeing to be able to engage with their friends and get back into school activities,” Mr Hunt said.
