Recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) are under consideration for establishing drive-through COVID-19 vaccination clinic sites, particularly on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in all young adolescents in Australia.

ATAGI has recently recommended vaccination using Comirnaty (Pfizer) for adolescents from 12 years of age, especially those with specified medical conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) registration of Comirnaty was extended on 23 July to include all people from 12 years of age and above in a two-dose schedule. 

At present COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) and Spikevax (Moderna) are provisionally registered for use in individuals aged ≥18 years. Spikevax (Moderna) vaccine is under consideration for provisional registration by TGA for 12 to 17 year olds with a decision anticipated by early September 2021.

Vaccinating adolescents is anticipated to contribute to a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the broader population. Once a large proportion of adults are vaccinated, susceptible children and adolescents will account for a higher proportion of continued infections in the community contributing to transmission. This has been seen in countries such as Israel and the USA.