COVID-19 booster shots are to be available to the general population from next week (8 November), following advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Announced by Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, Australians aged 18 and over who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago are to be eligible for the booster shots.
Mr Hunt said ATAGI recommended the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for the booster doses, no matter which vaccine a person had received for their first two shots.
“The booster shot is not mandatory, however, it provides further protection against the worst effects of COVID-19,” Mr Hunt said.
“Those first eligible for a booster, based on when they completed their two-dose course, will be people in high-priority groups who were prioritised early in the rollout of the vaccine program,” he said.
“This includes Australians aged 50 and over, residents of aged care and disability facilities, people with underlying medical conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and people at increased occupational risk of COVID-19.”
Mr Hunt said the booster program would roll out directly to people living in Residential Aged Care Facilities and people with a disability through an in-reach program.
The Minister strongly encouraged frontline workers to book in for a booster dose if six months had passed since their second dose.
“The Australian Government will consider the possibility of other vaccines being used for booster shots if successful applications are submitted to the TGA and pending advice from ATAGI,” he said.
“The Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots are free and will be available through the primary healthcare network (GPs, community pharmacies, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics) and State and Territory vaccination hubs.”
Mr Hunt said people would be able to book and receive their booster doses from 8 November.
