Booster doses announced for vulnerable

THE federal government has announced people who are severely immunocompromised, such as people who have cancer or who have had a transplant, will be prioritised for a covid booster vaccination and by the end of this month other Australians will be advised when they should have a booster.

Approximately 500,000 immunocompromised people do not have the same immune response to two vaccinations and need a third within two to six months. 

Paul Kelly, Australian chief medical officer said, “…the evidence is now clear that people in those categories of immune-compromised should receive a third dose. That should happen at a period after the second dose, between two and six months after that time of the second dose.”

They have further advised people who had Pfizer or Moderna for their first two doses, should have those vaccines for their booster, while people who have had AstraZeneca can switch to Pfizer or Moderna.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation will advise at the end of this month when boosters should be accessed by the general population.

Greg Hunter, Federal Minister for Health, said supply for boosters will not be an issue with 151 million Pfizer, Novavax and Moderna vaccines secured.

“There’s enough vaccine for every Australian to have first and second doses, and there’s enough vaccine for every Australian as they come due for boosters,” Mr Hunt said.