The Covid-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group will now give advice to the government who will then decide whether to use the vaccines. Photo: KAZUKI WAKASUGI / YOMIURI / THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN VIA AFP
Medsafe has granted provisional approval for two Pfizer Covid-19 booster vaccines which target Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.4/5.
Those aged 12 and over who have had at least their first two jabs will be eligible.
But the provisional approval does not mean the vaccines will definitely be used.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the Covid-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group would now give advice to the government who would then decide whether to use the vaccines.
The recommendations will first be considered by Director-General of Health Diana Sarfati before ministers make a final decision.
If approval is granted, the vaccines are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2023.
The advisory group will also review the eligibility criteria as part of the approval process.
The ministry said the current vaccines in use were still very effective at reducing the risk of serious illness and death, and urged people to ensure they had all the vaccines they were eligible for.
Medsafe's website showed the provisional approvals for the two new vaccines were granted on 21 December, and are valid until 3 November, 2023.