Covid vaccine: Aussies to get booster shots by December

Covid booster jabs could be available from as early as December, with the government revealing it has enough vaccine for at least two extra jabs each if needed.

Australians could start getting booster shots as early as December with the government confident it has enough vaccine for at least two extra jabs if medical experts recommend it.

On Friday national cabinet was briefed on the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s work on advice on booster shots which is expected to be released by the end of October.

Senior federal sources said the expectation is the advice is likely to be favourable.

The group flagged late last month that will shortly first issue advice for those with severely immunocompromising conditions who are likely to need a third jab to reach full vaccination.

Planning for the distribution of the shots is already under way with states and territories.

Covid booster shots are going to be made available in Australia. Picture: Jens Schlueter/Getty

But the Commonwealth expects the booster shots will be rolled out in pharmacies and GP clinics rather than state run vaccination hubs, which will start to stand down some time next year.

GPs and pharmacies will also be at the heart of the rollout for children under 12 if and when they are approved vaccination.

Health and Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt said with more than 126 million Pfizer, Novavax and Moderna vaccines already secured, Australia was well prepared for any booster strategy should medical experts recommend it.

“Primary care, including our GP’s and pharmacies, have been at the forefront of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, delivering over 16.4 million vaccine doses of Australia’s 28.4 million administered overall,” Mr Hunt said.

“They will continue to play a vital role in our vaccine rollout, including any potential need for boosters.”

Pfizer expected to apply to the TGA for a licence to vaccinated children aged 5 and 12 in the next six weeks.

As of Friday Australia has successfully vaccinated over half a million 12-15 year olds in a little over two and half weeks with another 700,000 to go.

Originally published as Covid vaccine: Aussies to get booster shots by December