Fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose announced

The Health Minister, Greg Hunt, has annouced that from April 4, fourth doses (2nd booster) of COVID-19 vaccine will be available in Australia.

ATAGI which is the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended the second booster for Australians over 65, Indigenous Australians over 50, those in disability care and those who are immunocompromised over the age of 16.

To be eligible for the 2nd booster, individuals must be four months past their 1st booster and will be administered by vaccination clinics, GPs & pharmacists.

The flu vaccination program will also be rolled out on April 4 and there is expected to be a winter spike in COVID-19 cases.. Immunity to flu viruses has declined during the pandemic & repeated lockdowns, due to a lower incidence of flu in the community and less people having flu vaccinations. As a result, it is anticipated that there will be a sharp rise in flu infections.