Younger NSW residents can now seek a third dose of Pfizer as a booster the same day as the state health minister expressed his personal belief that three vaccination doses should become the national norm.

As of today (Friday 28 January), the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced the provisional approval of the Pfizer vaccine for use as a booster in individuals aged 16 or 17, replacing the previous approval for individuals 18 and up only.

According to a statement from the TGA, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) will shortly provide advice and further information on when this age group is eligible to receive booster doses.

"The TGA continues to monitor ongoing trials associated with booster doses for younger children," the statement said.

Despite the expansion in eligibility, the government says the supply of booster doses vastly exceeds the current demand in NSW residents.

According to the latest figures released by NSW Health, around 36 per cent of the 18 and over NSW population have received their booster dose, however, the government says there are plenty of opportunities to get it and continues to urge everyone eligible to come forward.

Meanwhile, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard told multiple news outlets this morning he would personally like to see the third jab, currently being distributed as a booster for eligible residents, considered essential to be classified as 'fully-vaccinated' from COVID-19 rather than the current requirement of two.

Mr Hazzard is not the first state politician to call for this, with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews indicating that discussions were underway over the idea of making the booster a requirement of immunisation instead of an option yesterday.

Mr Hazzard acknowledged, however, this policy change would have to be made by the federal government rather than separate state levels, and would likely require "a range of medical input".

He also said while there had been some confusion in the past surrounding when you could have a booster dose after actually being diagnosed with COVID, there was now a clear message they could seek it "four to six weeks" following recovery.

Despite inconsistent numbers, hospitalisations linked to the virus have begun plateauing this week in NSW, a trend which may begin going slightly down again according to NSW Health deputy secretary Susan Pearce in a press conference today.

"They might not follow a lovely curve, and it may be a bit lumpy but we do expect that in the coming week we will start to see some declines," she said.

In the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD), up to 8pm last night, there were 28 people in hospital with COVID-19, four of which in intensive care.

Furthermore, there was 215 positive PCR test results and 257 positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) results identified in WNSWLHD.

67 of the PCR results were spread across the 11 LGAs in the Western Plains area, including Bogan (one), Bourke (nine), Brewarrina (one), Cobar (five), Coonamble (six), Gilgandra (three), Lachlan (six), Narromine (12), Walgett (10), Warren (six) and Warrumbungle (eight).

With multiple cases in all Western Plains communities, residents are urged to follow all current COVID restrictions, keep up regular hygiene and stay at home and seek a test if they feel unwell.