Greg Hunt confirms national change to booster program, millions more now eligible

Millions more Australians will become eligible for their Covid booster jab after the health minister confirmed a major change to the program.

More than four million Australians have automatically become eligible for their Covid-19 booster, after the federal health minister announced a major change to the program.

Greg Hunt confirmed that Australians will now be eligible for their booster dose three months after their first two courses of the vaccine, as opposed to four months.

Some states and territories had already made this change, but Monday’s announcement reflects a national approach.

Mr Hunt said that meant an extra 4.2 million people were now eligible for boosters.

“We know that there are approximately 18 million doses available, and we have the capacity to inoculate everybody who is eligible, and we would encourage people to come forward,” he said.

“Now is the time. Please don’t wait. We encourage everyone to come forward.”

Health Minister Greg Hunt said Australians are now eligible for their booster three months after their second Covid-19 vaccine dose. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Deputy chief medical officer Michael Kidd said Australians who had recently recovered from Covid-19 should not hesitate in coming forward to get their booster shot.

“ATAGI late last week amended their advice, saying people who’ve been infected receive their booster within four months,” Professor Kidd said.

“I would reinforce that people are eligible for their booster once their symptoms have (subsided).

“People should not be waiting to get their booster vaccine when there is such wide spread of the Omicron variant in the wider community.”

As thousands of schoolchildren return to classrooms in Victoria and NSW this week, Mr Hunt said he was pleased that almost half of all 5 to 11-year-olds had begun their Covid-19 vaccine course.

“We have seen over 40,000 delivered on the weekend and we are now at 906,000 or approximately 40 per cent of the children’s population,” Mr Hunt said.

“The fastest rollout by age group across the course of the vaccination program and very significantly, some schools and some school districts are holding school-based vaccination programs.

“If your child hasn’t been vaccinated, please allow them to be vaccinated, please bring them forward, whether it is through your GP, pharmacy, a state program or a school-based program.”

Originally published as Greg Hunt confirms national change to booster program, millions more now eligible