Adults under the age of 40 will still need to wait until September or October to access Pfizer vaccines as initial approval is given to roll it out to some children.
The final green light is expected by the end of next week for Pfizer vaccines for children aged between 12 and 15.
Those who are immunocompromised and with underlying health conditions will be prioritised.
Health Minister Greg Hunt says the government hopes to roll out the vaccine to all children in that age group, including through schools, starting later this year.
But the rollout for the broader under 40s group is still expected to begin in September or early October.
“It’s a window, not a specific date at this stage,” Mr Hunt told ABC radio on Friday.
“If there were to be a change, it would be to bring it forward, not push back.”
AstraZeneca remains the preferred vaccine for people aged 60 and over because of a low risk of rare blood clots.
Meanwhile, national cabinet is expected to meet on Friday to endorse the terms of reference for an updated report into the quarantining of returned overseas travellers.
Federal, state and territory leaders are expected to canvass letting people quarantine at home instead of at hotels, which have been the source of multiple coronavirus leaks and outbreaks.
A Senate committee is also expected on Friday to hear from senior health and medical officials about Australia’s pandemic response.
Mr Hunt defended significant delays to the overdue vaccine rollout for people with disabilities after cases were confirmed at a residential home in Sydney.
That group was initial among the highest priority for vaccines meant to have been fully rolled out by Easter.
The minister said more than 24,000 doses had been delivered to disability home residents, which had received more than 3700 vaccine visits.
More pharmacies are being brought into the rollout. About 4000 chemists across the country have been approved to take part in the program.
Greater Sydney and others parts of NSW, and the states of Victoria and South Australia, remain in lockdown as the Delta variant spreads.
Victoria recorded 14 new locally acquired cases in the 24 hours to Friday and NSW’s latest figures are set to be announced later in the morning.
NSW reported 124 additional cases on Thursday and South Australia two.
AAP
Read more:
