A NSW Health official has apologised after more than 100 elite private school boys were given COVID-19 vaccinations despite most being ineligible. 

Reports say 163 boarding students from the private Catholic boy’s St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill, known as Joeys, had received their first dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. 

The school’s principal Ross Tarlinton said NSW Health approved the school’s request to inoculate students aged over 16 at a vaccine centre. 

The school reportedly asked the department back in May for the shots, because some of the boarders were from rural, remote and Aboriginal communities.

“The approval and administration of the vaccine was endorsed and managed by NSW Health through the Sydney Local Health District,” Mr Tarlinton told the ABC.

“Acknowledging that the College does not determine vaccination priority, it welcomed the opportunity to offer the vaccine for students given the approvals provided.

“Given that we have a large number of boys who live in a residential community, which includes boys from rural, remote and indigenous communities,” he said.

The story caused public outrage at the idea that the privileged teens were able to access jabs that many of a higher priority level have yet to obtain a booking for.

The Sydney Local Health District has issued a media statement saying that under the federal COVID-19 vaccination eligibility criteria, all Aboriginal people aged 16 to 49 years are considered a priority group.

The government agency conceded it had made an error in vaccinating the whole group, but did not accept responsibility nor explain how the error occurred.