The call to expand eligibility for extra boosters comes as health experts warn the winter Omicron wave could be the worst outbreak the country has ever seen.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed state government calls to give more Australians access to a fourth COVID vaccine dose, saying it’s only a question of when those under 65 become eligible.
Professor James McCaw, an influential scientific expert on coronavirus, says if more isn’t done to slow transmission of the outbreak in Australia, hospitals could be overwhelmed, “and that means unnecessary deaths”.ATAGI has slowly increased the age range and conditions for eligibility for a fourth shot over the last few months.
NSW Health Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said she would support ATAGI extending eligibility for second booster shots of the vaccine.“There are many people, me included, who are about six months since [their] third dose,” she said, adding she “wouldn’t mind a bit of a top-up” in immune protection as Australia’s cases rise.
Albanese told radio station 6PR in Perth that it was vital all Australians got their third shot because it had a real impact on mitigating the disease’s symptoms. About 67 per cent of eligible Australians have had their third shot. “Employers have helped lead the charge in getting their teams vaccinated and protected against both flu and COVID, and we are ready to help roll out a fourth shot if health authorities recommend one,” she said.
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