COVID-19 booster vaccination program begins

Australia’s booster vaccination program begins today, meaning anyone over 18 who received their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago — May 8 — can book to have a third shot.

While today marks the formal beginning of the booster program, as of Saturday more than 173,000 boosters had already been administered. The Pfizer vaccine is currently being offered for booster shots, even for people who were vaccinated with the AstraZeneca jab.

However, while the government’s expert advisory group on vaccines has said thatPfizer is the preferred shot, AstraZeneca can be used as a booster for people who received it as their primary course, or if they had an adverse reaction to an mRNA vaccine.

Moderna vaccines have been bought to be included in the booster program, but the company is awaiting finally approval by the medical regulator. The government has said people will not be required to receive booster shots in order to be exempt from COVID-19 restrictions.

But the Health Minister Greg Hunt said while two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine provided “very good protection, especially against severe disease”, the vaccine’s ability to prevent transmission waned over time.

Cities that administering booster shots

Sydney and Melbourne, its largest cities and worst hit by the Delta wave, have been racing through their inoculations before gradually relaxing restrictions. Amid a vaccine-driven shift to more freedom, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said more than 173,000 booster shots have already been administered in aged care centres and for some health workers ahead of Monday’s formal roll out.

South Australians who got their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine more than six months ago will be able to get their top-up shot at government vaccination hubs from next month. Premier Steven Marshall said boosters will be widely available at the hubs from December 1 to people 18 years and over, adding to the supply already available at GP surgeries (Pfizer) and pharmacies (Moderna).

Vaccination for young children unlikely to be this year

Mr Hunt also provided an update on the government’s plans to vaccinate children aged five to 11, saying it was unlikely to happen this year. Children under 12 may have to wait until next year to get vaccinated at all. The medical regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, has not yet given the green light to any COVID-19 vaccine for young children. 

Having gained approval in the United States, Pfizer has applied for its vaccine to be approved for use in that younger age group in Australia, but Mr Hunt said the regulator was still waiting on the company to submit all its paperwork.

“We haven’t got the full detail yet from Pfizer,” Mr Hunt said. “And Moderna will also put in its application. So our plan and expectation has always been to commence as soon as they have completed their deliberations. But those deliberations are going to take the coming weeks.”