The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations (ATAGI) agreed that Australians could receive COVID vaccine booster shots six months after receiving their second dose of their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Health Minister Greg Hunt announced ATAGI had now recommended boosters be rolled out to adults. The programme will officially start on 8 November, however Mr Hunt said that some vulnerable groups, such as residents in aged and disability care, could start receiving them as early as Thursday.
“Early priority will be a focus on aged care and disability but by definition, we have enough vaccines in the country to vaccinate everybody,” he said.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration announced it had approved Pfizer booster shots for people aged 18 and over, but said it was down to ATAGI to advise on who would be eligible.
Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly clarified the government considered people fully vaccinated once they received the first two doses of the vaccine.
“This is a boost, two doses will be seen as fully vaccinated for overseas travellers and so on,” he said.
“It definitely gives extra protection against severe disease, particularly for older Australians and those in that vulnerable group.”
