Greg Hunt says all 12- to 15-year-olds will be offered a Covid vaccine by the end of the year

All Australian children aged 12 to 15 will be eligible for a COVID vaccine from next month, after Pfizer was given the green light by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

But Prime Minister Scott Morrison rejected calls for teenagers to be included in the vaccination targets forming the basis of Australia's path out of COVID restrictions.

The federal government on Thursday accepted recommendations from ATAGI and COVID Taskforce commander Lieutenant-General John Frewen for Pfizer to be administered to all Australians aged 12 to 15. Bookings for that age range will open from September 13.

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And with Pfizer supplies increasing after a rocky start to the rollout, Health Minister Greg Hunt was optimistic about uptake in teenagers.

"We are in a position to ensure that all children and all families who seek their children to be vaccinated between the ages of 12 to 15, will be able to do so this year," he said on Friday.

Mr Morrison said state and territory leaders would be briefed on the decision at national cabinet on Friday, and discussions would centre on their participation in the scheme. The states would work through whether and when to open up their mass hubs to children.

"Principally I would see that happening especially through the GP network [initially]. That provides the opportunity for family vaccinations, for the family to go along together across those age groups," he said.

Pfizer was provisionally approved for that age range among immunocompromised children, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and children in remote areas earlier this month.

Australia's path out of COVID restrictions is based on Doherty Institute modelling, outlining new stages to be triggered at 70 and 80 per cent vaccination of the 16 and over population.

But the Prime Minister rejected suggestions 12- to 15-year-olds would now be folded into the national targets, despite pressure from some jurisdictions.

"The target is about the overall level of vaccination in the adult population, who are the primary transmitters of the virus. So that's the science of that," he said.

"There is no recommendation from any of our medical health advisors to [include children in the targets], and so I don't see the point of that. What I see the point of doing is vaccinating children."

His comments came soon after ATAGI confirmed it had granted provisional approval for the Pfizer vaccine to be administered to all children aged 12 to 15. Approval for another mRNA vaccine, Moderna, was also being worked through.

"Vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for all individuals from 12 years of age, extending the current recommendation for those aged 16 years and older," ATAGI said in a statement.

"Recommendations on the use of Spikevax (Moderna) for adolescents will be finalised following the decision on provisional registration of Spikevax (Moderna) in this age group."

ATAGI conceded there was uncertainty over teenagers' role in transmitting Covid, but said the virus would increasingly target younger people with a higher proportion of adults vaccinated.

"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," it said.

ATAGI said a trial of 2000 children in that age range produced "high level evidence" Pfizer was effective against the virus.

That included an 100 per cent effectiveness against symptoms seven days after children received their second dose. The first dose proved 75 per cent effective, ATAGI said.

National cabinet was also expected to discuss exemptions available to vaccinated Australians in Phase B and Phase C of the Doherty plan. But Mr Morrison poured cold water on the prospect of arrangements being finalised on Friday.

"Don't anticipate any decisions on that today. There is still ample time to work through those issues, but a lot of work has already been done to consider the options are there. They will be discussed in a first-pass way today, and that will provide some direction to further discussions on that," he said.

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