Australia’s commonwealth government is working on a plan to begin administering COVID-19 booster shots by the end of the year, in collaboration with state and national health authorities.
The third shot program is set to commence in December 2021 according to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, however, how the rollout will take place will be specified by ATAGI, Australia’s expert panel on immunisation.
At this stage, ATAGI advises that the two doses of the available vaccines in Australia have been proved to offer enough protection against COVID-19, showing significant reduction to its complications if contracted.
In total, more than 78.4 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over has now received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, with more than 55 per cent fully vaccinated.
As per Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt’s comments, those severely immunocompromised, are more likely to require a third dose as the effects of the double jab wane. More advice on the third rollout will be available to the general public in October.
“In all likelihood”, Mr Hunt said, “they [the vaccines] will become like regular seasonal flu jabs for most Australians”.
Australia is scheduled to receive more than nine million Pfizer and three million Moderna doses this month, which Mr Morrison said would be sufficient to inoculate all Australians.
“The Commonwealth will provide an update on boosters and third dose vaccinations following advice from ATAGI. [There is] significant planning underway with states and territories to commence a booster/third shot program in late 2021, subject to ATAGI advice,” the PM clarified.
Furthermore, the national cabinet is yet to make a decision in regards to extending mandatory vaccinations across Australia, even though it has made it compulsory for healthcare and essential workers.
In the meantime, federal government is ramping up its efforts to increase vaccination rates among Indigenous people and Australians.
“Additional measures are being enacted to support uptake and reduce hesitancy,” said Mr Morrison.
As NSW, prepares to lax its strict lockdown rules from 11 October, businesses will be forced to take “reasonable” measures to stop unvaccinated people entering under new public health advice.
