ATAGI notes on 8 April 2022, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved a booster dose of Comirnaty (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine for use in adolescents aged 12-15 years.
ATAGI has reviewed evidence on the benefits and risks of a booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents in Australia aged 12-15 years. Current data suggest that COVID-related serious illness is very rare in adolescents aged 12-15, particularly after completion of a primary series of COVID-19 vaccination.
At this time, ATAGI does not recommend that adolescents aged 12-15 years need to receive a booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and will continue to review international evidence on efficacy of a booster in this age group.
ATAGI continue to strongly recommend vaccination of all young people aged 5 to 15 years with 2 primary doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, including those who may have previously had COVID-19; 3 primary doses are recommended for those in this age group who are severely immunocompromised.
ATAGI will continue to review and consider new evidence on the benefits and risks of any additional doses in 12-15 year olds, including for those with underlying medical conditions.
