Teenagers will soon be able to get a COVID-19 booster shot after the medical regulator granted provisional approval for the Pfizer vaccine.
Previously, only people aged 18 and older had been able to get a booster shot.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration said dosing for 16 and 17-year-olds will be the same as boosters used in adult populations.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the booster program could be rolled out in a matter of days.
"We are hoping to receive the ATAGI advice within the next week, if not earlier, and if that's a positive then we can make this available immediately," Mr Hunt told reporters in Canberra.
"It's the same vaccine in the same quantity, it's available widely, we have doses distributed that are available being drawn on daily, so if we receive advice, then it will be authorised for approval the next day."
It comes ahead of the COVID-19 booster shot eligibility for the general population being lowered from four months since the second dose to three months, which starts on Monday.
Some states and territories have already lowered the eligibility to three months ahead of schedule.
Meanwhile federal, state and territory leaders continue to debate whether to change the definition of fully vaccinated to require a third dose.
No decision was made on the issue at Thursday's national cabinet meeting, with ATAGI continuing to consider the issue.
However, it would be up to individual jurisdictions to update their respective public health orders, should the definition change.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton said such a decision to change the definition of fully vaccinated was for medical experts to decide.
"The main message is just to encourage people to get their booster shot," Mr Dutton told the Nine Network on Friday.
"We want to make sure we have sufficient protection, and it is obvious you need the booster and out of all the data available, people that have the booster shot are less likely to have a more severe case of Omicron."
Separately, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard is frustrated that just 36 per cent of the eligible population in the state have had the booster shot, despite supply being plentiful.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard. Source: AAP
He's blamed mixed messaging for the slow take-up.
"It is a very clear message now: four to six weeks after you've had COVID, you can have the booster," he said, echoing the advice of Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant.
People who have not contracted COVID should have their booster shot three months after their second jab, Mr Hazzard said.
"The booster is what will slow the transmission, but also reduce the likelihood of the severe illness, so for everybody who is eligible, please go and get the booster as quickly as possible," he told ABC TV on Friday.
About 100,000 vaccine slots in NSW-run clinics were not taken up last week.
Some vaccine hubs had only a handful of people turn up, creating a "ridiculous" situation where health staff were "twiddling thumbs" at empty hubs, unable to help sick people elsewhere, Mr Hazzard said.
