Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield, who today announced plans to step down from the role, is joining Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins at today's Covid-19 media briefing.

Hipkins has revealed today that from tomorrow, teenagers aged 16 and 17 can receive a free booster dose at least six months after completing their primary coursed.

"This decision is great news and means that from tomorrow, around 36,000 rangatahi aged 16 and 17 years will be eligible to receive a booster dose.

"They can do this by visiting any walk-in vaccination clinic around the country."

He said a booster dose was particularly recommended for 16- and 17-year-olds who were at higher risk of severe Covid-19 symptoms and hospitalisation.

"This includes those who're immunocompromised or living with a family member who is immunocompromised, and Māori and Pacific rangatahi."

Yesterday, the Ministry of Health reported 14,120 new community cases of Covid-19 and a further 23 deaths.

More to come...

-RNZ.