Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for children aged 12 to 15 by Australia's medical regulator.

People 16 years and older have already been provisionally approved by the regulator, but the TGA had been asked to look at whether the vaccine was safe for younger people.

Although the vaccine has been approved for this younger age group, they won't be included in the rollout for some time.

Determining how to include children in the vaccine rollout, including whether to prioritise those with underlying health conditions who are at more risk of serious illness, will be left to the government's immunisation advisory panel.

Plan to immediately roll out to vulnerable kids

Mr Hunt said those conversations were already "well advanced" within the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

"Our plans are in place to roll out what is more likely, on the early advice I have, is that they will fast-track vaccines for 12- to 15-year-olds for the immunocompromised children or those with underlying health conditions," Mr Hunt said.

"If ATAGI gives a second green light for the immunocompromised and kids with underlying medical conditions they would be immediately added to what's called phase 1B, they would immediately be able to access the Pfizer [vaccine]."

Other children would have to continue waiting until the rest of the adult population has had the chance to be vaccinated.

Mr Hunt said data from the US, where the vaccine has been available to all children since May, would be considered by ATAGI when it is received in August or September.

Earlier this week, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said children should be considered for inclusion in the vaccination program as the Delta variant of the virus was infecting them more seriously.

In the United Kingdom, National Health Service data showed some children were experiencing 'long COVID' symptoms three months after being infected.

The TGA is yet to publish the approvals Mr Hunt said were confirmed overnight.

Story By | Jake Evans