A third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) for people severely immunocompromised.
Following the ATAGI announcement, Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said that from this week (beginning 11 October) affected Australians would be offered a third shot of vaccine to maximise their protection against the virus.
“Australians who are severely immunocompromised may have a decreased immune response to a COVID-19 vaccination and be more at risk from severe COVID-19,” Mr Hunt said.
“An additional booster dose for this specific cohort will ensure they continue to be protected,” he said.
“If you or someone in your family are severely immunocompromised, we encourage you to reach out to your GP or specialist to discuss whether an additional dose is required.”
Mr Hunt said it was expected that approximately 500,000 people were severely immunocompromised in Australia and may need a third dose of vaccine over the coming months.
The Minister said this included people who were being actively treated for cancer, organ failure or being treated with immunosuppressive or biologic therapies.
He said the recommended interval for the third dose of vaccine was two to six months after the second dose.
“ATAGI’s advice is that an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) is the preferred option for a third dose,” he said.
“Importantly, Australians who are mildly to moderately immunocompromised are not currently being recommended by ATAGI to have a third dose at this stage.”
Mr Hunt said advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration and ATAGI on booster shots for the general population was expected in the coming weeks and would be made public “as soon as possible”.
