AstraZeneca vaccine booster shot approved by TGA, with recommendations

Australia’s medical regulator has given its first green light for AstraZeneca to be used as a booster shot — but it comes with a warning.

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been provisionally approved as a booster shot against Covid-19 by Australia‘s medical health regulator.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) confirmed that it had approved the vaccine, also known as Vaxzevria, for a booster dose in people aged 18 and over.

However, the mRNA vaccines which have previously been approved in Australia, Pfizer and Moderna, are still the preferred booster doses, regardless of the primary vaccine a person received, the TGA said.

“This includes for people who received the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine for their primary course,” it said in a statement.

“The Australian government continues to encourage individuals to have a booster following their initial two vaccination doses to enable strong protection against severe illness and hospitalisation, particularly from the Omicron variant.”

“Australians can be confident that the TGA’s review process of this vaccine was rigorous and of the highest standard.”

The mRNA jabs can both be used irrespective of which COVID-19 vaccines someone has already received, including AstraZeneca.

While the third vaccine dose isn't mandatory, it is advised amid the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

The TGA said the Australian public assessment report for the decision would be published in the coming days.

Australia reported a combined 70 virus deaths across states and territories on Wednesday.

Twenty-four people died in Queensland, with the state also recording 6902 new daily infections.

NSW and Victoria reported a combined 41 deaths, and 10,312 and 9908 infections respectively.

Chief medical Officer Paul Kelly. Picture: NCA NewsWire

It comes as the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is set to provide advice to government as early as Thursday which will state that people need three doses to be fully protected, potentially locking out millions of tourists if that definition is extended to overseas visitors.

Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has advised the Commonwealth government that two doses are sufficient for someone to be allowed into Australia, because of low international booster-dose rates.

While Victoria and Queensland have said three doses would be required for most settings, the NSW government has not made a decision on mandating three doses.

Before the pandemic, some of our biggest tourist markets were travellers from India, China, and the US.

Originally published as AstraZeneca vaccine booster shot approved by TGA, with recommendations