Pfizer's vaccine to be used as a booster in youths aged 16-17
On Friday, Australia's drug regulator approved the use of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for 16 and 17-years-old as authorities urge people to get their third doses soon to reduce the threat from the Omicron coronavirus variant.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said it had approved Pfizer's vaccine for use as a booster in youths aged 16-17, joining the United States, Israel and Britain too.
According to official data, Australia is among the largely vaccinated countries against COVID-19 with more than 93% of its adult population double-dosed and some 35% of people above 18 having received a booster dose. It began administering vaccines to children aged 5-11 from December.
TGA said the country's vaccination advisory group will soon give detailed information on when the 16-17 age group will be eligible to receive their booster doses.
Omicron has taken Australia's total infections to around 2.4 million, with about 2 million detected in January, though its less lethal impact and a booster rollout gathering pace has resulted in a lower death rate.
A total number of 3,402 deaths have been registered in the country since the pandemic began, far lower than numbers seen in many other countries.
On Thursday, Australia reported fewer COVID-19 deaths, a day after recording a pandemic high of 87 deaths, while hospital cases remained steady, raising hopes the country's worst outbreak may have peaked.
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