The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved the use of the Pfizer BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine (COMIRNATY) in individuals aged between 12 and 15.
Previously, the TGA had only provisionally approved the Pfizer inoculation for use in individuals 16 and older, but today's decision means younger adolescents can theoretically receive the vaccine if it is made available.
However, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) must still make its own recommendation on whether those aged as young as 12 can receive the vaccine.
Currently ATAGI recommends the Pfizer jab as the preferred vaccine for those aged 16 to 59 years, but supply constraints means the Federal Government is prioritising those most at risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19 to receive that specific vaccine.
Updated at 10.19am AEST on 23 July 2021.
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