Health experts divided on Queensland Covid alert system

Infectious disease experts have criticised a new Covid alert system with one Brisbane professor slamming our ‘green’ status as too relaxed and a risk to our poor vaccine booster rates.

Infectious disease experts are divided on plans for a new Covid alert system with a Brisbane professor slamming our “green” status as too relaxed and a risk to vaccine booster rates.

The warnings from University of Queensland Professor Paul Griffin come after chief health officer John Gerrard announced a new “traffic light” system for Covid with Queensland currently classed as “green”.

Prof Griffin said there was too much unknown to take such a relaxed approach.

He said with measuring capabilities drastically reduced Queenslanders may not know when the next Covid wave had hit until it was already upon us.

“I’d prefer if we hadn’t gone straight to green, it might encourage people to forget Covid is still an issue,” he said.

Professor Paul Griffin, an infectious disease expert, gets his AstraZeneca vaccine at the Mater Hospital. Pic Annette Dew

“We still have not achieved the vaccine coverage in terms of up to date eligibility, Queenslanders who become eligible after six months are not going to get another booster.

“I would have preferred for us to start in amber to align with what’s going on nationally and globally.”

Meanwhile, Sydney expert, Professor Robert Booy said he was cautiously optimistic of Australia's Covid outlook and immunity levels, with the virus now appearing to be “out of tricks”.

“Omicron came on the scene a year ago and we haven't had a complete new variant since, which suggests the virus is running out of ways to mutate into a more transmissible form,” he said.

“It’s relatively good news … the virus is running out tricks.

“Covid is not yet reduced in severity to the extent of flu but it is lessening and we’re in a good place. I’m optimistically cautious.”

Infectious disease expert Professor Robert Booy.

Professor Booy said as XBB was a sub variant of Omicron, current vaccines would remain effective as preventing severe disease and death.

And contrary to comments made by Dr Gerrard today, Mr Booy said he did not think Victoria or Queensland would fall to a new case wave in the near future.

“Victoria not on its way to new wave – it's a blip not a wave,” he said.

“Hybrid immunity is working really well in Australia right now.

“Most people have had boosters and have had some mild infection and that hybrid immunity is really important so as a 60-year-old person like myself who’s had four (vaccine) doses and a mild infection, my hybrid immunity is quite good.

“In saying that we need to remain aware and practical … maintain established common sense and effective approaches for masks, especially if your vulnerable.”

Queenslanders are encouraged to still get their booster jabs.

Originally published as Health experts divided on Queensland Covid alert system