General News
11 July, 2022
Fourth COVID vaccine dose recommended for over 30s
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have recommended a winter COVID-19 booster vaccine for those aged 30 and over following a recent spike in the Omicron BA. 4 and BA. 5 strains of the virus. The Department of Health found...
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have recommended a winter COVID-19 booster vaccine for those aged 30 and over following a recent spike in the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 strains of the virus.
The Department of Health found Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 are now Victoria’s most dominant strains, with surveillance of wastewater catchments in both metropolitan and regional areas showing detections of the variants rising from under five percent in late May to 53.5 percent at the end of June.
The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care predicts an increase in BA.4/BA.5 cases as the strain has a stronger ability to avoid the immunity of both a prior vaccination and infection than the previous strains.
As of yesterday, July 11, a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is now recommended for adults aged 50 to 64, and those aged 30 to 49 — although benefits of the dose are less certain for this age range.
Other Australians already eligible for the fourth dose are all adults aged 65 and older, those in an aged home or disability care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 or older, people who are severely immunocompromised, and those aged 16 and older with a disability, significant or complex health needs, or multiple chronic conditions increasing the risk of a poor outcome from contracting COVID.
Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said the government is aiming to get on top of another Omicron wave with the winter booster vaccine.
“My message to everyone living in Australia aged 50 and over is to make sure you have the greatest protection against COVID-19 by having a fourth dose as soon as possible,” he said.
“If you are aged 30 to 49 and you want that extra protection you can choose to get a fourth dose.
“The vaccine experts on the ATAGI have recommended it — and the government has accepted this advice.”
The Department of Health strongly recommends Victorians keep up to date with their vaccines and encouraged those eligible for their third and fourth dose to get their jabs now.
Victoria’s pandemic declaration will also be extended from 11.59 pm tonight, July 12 for a further three months to support the state’s response to the pandemic over the winter months.