Australia approves new Covid vaccine targeting fast-spreading variant
The TGA has given the green light to Australia’s latest Covid vaccine as the LP.8.1 variant spreads rapidly worldwide, sparking fresh health concerns. See if you should get the jab.
Australia has a new Covid-19 vaccine aimed at tackling the latest, fast-spreading variant.
The Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine has been given the tick of approval by the TGA to target the new variant LP. 8.1.
The World Health Organisation has been monitoring the strain since early in the year after becoming globally prevalent.
While it isn’t considered a high-risk variant, its increasing circulation prompted the update and led to the introduction of it’s matching vaccine: Comirnaty LP. 8.1.
Here’s what you need to know about the new jab and whether it’s for you.
WHAT IS THE NEW VACCINE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Australia’s new Covid shot has been updated to match the strain that has been circulating in 2025.
Like earlier mRNA vaccines, it works by giving your immune system a set of instructions so it can recognise part of the virus.
That way, if you’re exposed later, your body is primed to fight it off and prevent severe illness.
WHY WAS AN UPDATED VACCINE NEEDED?
As the Covid virus continues to evolve, some variants become more common than others.
When the prevalence of LP. 8.1 started increasing globally, health authorities opted for a new vaccine to keep immunity aligned with what’s currently circulating.
Similar to flu shots, the formula is updated to keep protection strong, which will in turn reduce pressure on hospitals during seasons with increased levels of illness.
SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT THE VARIANT?
LP. 8.1 is being monitored internationally, but the World Health Organisation currently rates the additional risk it poses as low and it’s not considered a major threat on its own.
The main reason for concern is that Covid numbers tend to rise in Australia during both summer and winter, which is why a larger number of people are getting sick as it gets closer to Christmas.
A highly circulating variant can contribute to another wave – which can cause more problems.
The updated vaccine is about staying ahead of the surge in cases, not because this variant is unusually dangerous.
IS IT SAFE?
The safety record of mRNA vaccines is very strong and billions of doses have been rolled out worldwide.
Most side effects are mild and short-lived, such as an achy arm, tiredness or a headache.
However a rare condition called myocarditis has been reported.
The condition mostly appears in teenage boys and young men, and comes about typically around the first dose.
However the Covid infection itself is reported to carry a much higher risk of serious heart complications than the vaccine does.
“The mRNA vaccines have done a tremendous job mitigating the Covid pandemic,” cardiologist at Stanford University Dr Joseph Wu said in a press release.
“Without these vaccines, more people would have gotten sick, more people would have had severe effects and more people would have died.”
WHAT IS MYOCARDITIS?
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, usually triggered by an infection or, very rarely, a strong immune response to a jab.
Symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath, heart flutters, fever and fatigue. Vaccine-associated cases are generally mild and can ease without treatment.
A study released this month revealed that it may be linked to a brief surge in specific inflammatory proteins in a certain cohort of people.
“mRNA vaccines were essential for limiting the Covid-19 pandemic,” the paper reads.
“In very rare cases, myocarditis has been reported, mostly in young males and usually after booster doses of the vaccines.”
SHOULD I GET THIS VACCINE?
Healthy infants, children and adolescents aged under 18 years are not recommended to receive the Covid-19 booster, the Australian department of health, disability and ageing advises.
“This is because the risk of severe illness was very low in this cohort over the course of the pandemic, and benefits of vaccination are not considered to outweigh the potential risks,” the Australian Immunisation Handbook reads.
Adults aged over 18 however are recommended to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
“Adults aged 18–64 years who do not have severe immunocompromise are recommended to receive a single primary dose of Covid-19 vaccine,” the handbook continues.
Booster jabs depend on the adults existing health conditions.
People with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe illness from Covid-19 are recommended to receive further doses of the jab.
If you’re unsure where you fit, your GP or pharmacist can give personalised advice.
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