More than a quarter of older Tasmanians still not fully protected against Covid-19, data shows

Australia’s vaccine advisory body will decide in weeks whether to make the fifth Covid jab widely available – but new data shows many Tasmanians are still yet to receive their fourth shot.

More than a quarter of Tasmanians over the age of 65 are yet to receive their fourth Covid jab as the national vaccine advisory body prepares to make a decision on whether to roll out the fifth shot to more people this year.

According to the latest Covid statistics released by the state’s Health Department, just 39.02 per cent of Tasmanians over 30 had received the fourth jab as at February 2, while 74.84 per cent of people over 65 had received it.

There were 321 new Covid cases recorded in Tasmania last week, with 11 patients being treated in hospital for the virus and one in ICU.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is expected to make a call on expanding access to the fifth jab within weeks.

Public Health director Dr Mark Veitch said the government had followed ATAGI’s expert advice across the entire duration of the pandemic and was awaiting its recommendations regarding the fifth jab.

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Staying up to date with your Covid-19 vaccinations is still the most important thing people can do to protect themselves from severe Covid-19,” he said.

“Staying up to date with vaccinations will boost your immunity to Covid-19 and mean you are less likely to get sick, become very unwell or die from Covid-19.

“Currently, a second booster dose (fourth dose) is recommended for people at greatest risk of severe illness, including those aged 50 years and older, and those aged 16 years and older who are residents of aged or disability care facilities or have medical conditions that increase their risk of severe illness.

“Adults aged 30 to 49 years without risk factors can also receive a second booster dose if they wish.”

Dr Veitch urged people who had a family member or friend at high-risk of “severe Covid-19” to get up to date with their vaccinations.

Greens health spokeswoman Dr Rosalie Woodruff said the state government needed to “stop pretending the pandemic is over and denying the health impacts of post-acute Covid disease”.

Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff.

“There has been a dramatic drop in the rate of Tasmanians getting third and fourth Covid doses, and now 60 per cent of Tasmanians over 30 years old are not fully protected,” she said.

“There is strong international evidence about waning vaccine immunity over time, and it’s crucial the government does everything to make sure people are fully vaccinated.

“The recent wave and ongoing Covid infections and reinfections make better vaccine levels even more important.”

Originally published as More than a quarter of older Tasmanians still not fully protected against Covid-19, data shows