Catholic Health Australia calls for immediate change to definition of ‘fully vaccinated’

Health Minister Greg Hunt is being called on to make a big change to Australia’s vaccination program immediately.

Catholic Health Australia is pushing for the definition of “fully vaccinated” to be changed immediately from two doses to three, after Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government was waiting on advice.

Mr Hunt has said he is waiting on advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) to consider changing the definition of fully vaccinated.

But Alex Lynch, who is manager of health policy at CHA, whose members provide 10 per cent of hospital-based healthcare in Australia, said the federal government could and should make the call now.

“It’s just misleading for states to be reporting a ‘fully vaccinated’ rate of 95 per cent-plus when that refers to double dosing which we know is inadequate,” Mr Lynch said.

“Health authorities are struggling to convince Australians to go out and get their booster and part of this is surely because people feel complacent when they see such impressive headline figures.

“A huge contributor to the speed of vaccination last year was people feeling responsibility for getting low rates to climb. We need to put that impetus on society once again.

“We now know that Covid-19 vaccinations are losing effectiveness just months after the second dose is received. A truly fully vaccinated community, with three doses for all who are eligible, will help alleviate pressure on our hospitals and start getting us back to normal.

“The Minister does not need to wait on further advice from ATAGI and nor should he. Let’s move today and start encouraging more people to go out and get their boosters.”

Mr Hunt told Sky News on Thursday it was “more likely than not” that three doses would be needed to be deemed fully vaccinated against the virus.

Australians may soon have be required to have had three jabs to be considered fully vaccinated. Picture: Dylan Robinson/NCA NewsWire

He said the decision to redefine “fully vaccinated” was with ATAGI.

“That is with ATAGI, I think it’s more likely than not that that will be the case, that’s my expectation,” he said.

“But what it doesn’t change is the fact we’ve been encouraging people to take up that booster and there’s more than enough vaccinations and vaccines for every Australian.”

The comments come as Mr Hunt announced Australians aged 16 and 17 years old will be able to receive their booster shot from Thursday.

Sky News’ political editor Andrew Clennell has reported ATAGI will soon categorise a fully vaccinated Australian as someone who has had three doses.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also hinted at the move on Sunday, telling reporters it’s only a matter of time before federal health agencies change the definition to mean three doses instead of two.

Mr Andrews said he expected the changes to the vaccination regime to be announced over the next week.

It comes as Mr Hunt confirmed Australia is considering giving a fourth Covid vaccine dose to

“older Australians and perhaps those working with vulnerable patients”.

“That’s still under active medical consideration, but the supplies and logistics are in place to deliver that if it’s required,” he said.

According to the federal Health Department’s latest vaccine rollout update, 93 per cent of Australians aged over 16 (approximately 19,237,151 people) have now had two doses.

A further 7,699,044 people over the age of 18 have now received their booster.