Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has issued recommendations on the second COVID-19 booster vaccination (fourth dose) for the citizens aged over 30 years amid the emerging surge of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variant infections, the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care said on Thursday.
“The updated recommendations are: Adults aged 50 to 64 years are now recommended to receive a winter booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Adults aged 30 to 49 years can receive a winter booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, however the benefit for people in this age group is less certain,” the statement read.
About 7.4 million of Australian citizens will be able to receive the fourth COVID-19 shot from next week, the statement added.
“ATAGI emphasizes that individuals who have previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2, irrespective of which variant it may have been, should continue to receive recommended vaccine doses, after an interval of 3 months, as prior infection alone will not provide sufficient protection against severe disease,” according to the statement.
To date, 95% of Australians aged 16 and over have had two doses while 70% have received three or more doses.
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