Fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines are being recommended to more people by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) as the Group updates its advice.
Announced by the newly appointed Minister for Health Senator for the Australian Capital Territory, Katy Gallagher said the ATAGI had expanded its recommendations for an additional winter booster dose (fourth dose) of vaccine to people aged 16 to 64 who have a medical condition that increases their risk of severe COVID-19 and those with disability with significant or complex health needs.
“ATAGI recommended this change to ensure those who are at greater risk of developing severe disease receive the best possible protection,” Senator Gallagher said.
“Healthy people aged 16 to 64 who do not have a risk factor for severe disease and who have received three doses of COVID-19 vaccine are not recommended to receive a winter booster dose at this time,” she said.
“This includes health care workers and pregnant women who do not have other risk factors.”
Senator Gallagher said the advice built on the ATAGI’s recommendations of 25 March for a winter booster dose for most people in high-risk groups, including people aged 65 years and above; residents of aged or disability care facilities; people with severe immunocompromise; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years or above.
She said the ATAGI had expanded its advice to include people with immunocompromising conditions – such as cancers, chronic lung disease and diabetes that requires medication – and people with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities, like severe obesity and severe underweight.
“People who are eligible for the winter dose, but have had a recent infection of COVID-19, should delay their winter booster until three months after their infection,” Senator Gallagher said.
The ATAGI’s latest recommendations can be accessed at this PS News link.
