Australia′s drug regulator has authorized the use of COVID-19 vaccine booster jabs for those aged 16 and 17 years, with authorities urging people to receive their third vaccine doses in order to decrease the threat from the Omicron variant.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved the use of Pfizer vaccine as a booster in 16- and 17-year-olds, after the United States, Israel and Britain. Australia has a remarkable vaccine coverage against COVID-19 with over 93% of its adult population having received two vaccine doses and around 35% of those aged above 18 years having received a booster shot. The country started offering vaccines to children aged 5-11 years this month.

TGA said that the vaccination advisory group will provide more information on when the 16- and 17-year-olds in the country will be eligible to receive the booster shots… (NDTV – Reuters, January 28, 2022)