More than a hundred students at a private boy's school in Sydney have already received a coronavirus vaccine, despite it only being officially available to those over 40.
The principal of St Joseph's College in Hunters Hill on the lower north shore confirmed 160 of its students were vaccinated with their first dose of Pfizer in May 2021.
Headmaster Ross Tarlinton said in a statement the college liaised with NSW Health about getting certain students vaccinated.
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"The College approached Sydney Local Health District in May 2021 to inquire about the possibility of vaccinations for students, given that we have a large number of boys who live in a residential community, which includes boys from rural, remote and indigenous communities," St Joseph's College Headmaster Ross Tarlinton said in a statement to 9News today.
"The approval and administration of the vaccine was endorsed and managed by NSW Health through the Sydney Local Health District.
"The College proceeded to make arrangements for the administration of the approved vaccine at a centre determined by NSW Health.
"Acknowledging that the College does not determine vaccination priority, it welcomed the opportunity to offer the vaccine for students given the approvals provided and for the reasons listed above.
"The College will continue to encourage and support members of its community to receive the appropriate vaccine as the opportunity arises," the statement said.
Currently, that vaccination is only officially available to people in NSW aged 40-49, or those eligible in Phase 1a and 1b of the rollout in NSW.
NSW Health has been contacted for comment.
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