Australians aged over 30 to be offered fourth Covid-19 vaccine next week

Australians over the age of 30 will soon be eligible for a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine as soon as next week.

Australians over the age of 30 will be eligible for a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine as soon as next week, Health Minister Mark Butler has announced.

“ATAGI specifically recommended people aged 50 to 64 years should have their fourth dose, while people aged 30 to 49 years may choose to have a fourth shot,” Mr Butler said in a statement.

The decision means an estimated 7.4 million people will be eligible for a fourth shot.

Previously, this was restricted to Australians aged over 65 or with serious health conditions.

“My message to everyone living in Australia aged 50 and over is to make sure you have the greatest protection against Covid-19 by having a fourth dose as soon as possible. If you are aged 30 to 49 and you want that extra protection, you can choose to get a fourth dose,” Mr Butler said.

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Australians over the age of 30 will soon be eligible for a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine

Australians have been urged to forget everything they have been told about two vaccinations being enough to protect against hospitalisation and are encouraged to stay up to date with the boosters currently available.

In March, ATAGI recommended a fourth dose for all over-65s, as well as all residents of aged and disability care facilities, regardless of age.

Those aged 16 and above with severe immunocompromise and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and older were also included in that recommendation.

Covid-19 cases are spiking. Picture: AFP

“I’ve certainly asked them to look at that issue [fourth shots] and also to look at the availability of antivirals as well. Because that [antivirals] can have an impact in getting people through the Covid issues and symptoms if they do get Covid,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant warned on Tuesday that there’s a high reinfection risk from the BA. 4 and BA. 5 sub-variants combined with cases of winter influenza.

“My message to everyone is disregard anything we said about two doses; it’s three doses or more,’’ she said.

“There’s many people, me included, who are about six months since their third dose. I wouldn’t mind a top-up in my immune protection.”

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant has advised Australians that the initial two doses of the vaccine won’t be enough to defend against emerging Covid variants. Picture: Pedro Pardo / AFP)

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has urged the Albanese government to act swiftly.

“We need to broaden it and we need to do it quickly”, he said.

“Every dose helps.

“These rather pesky little variants are quite intelligent, and they’re working their way around the current vaccines to an extent.”

“What we do know is that if we’re fully vaccinated, we’re far less likely to get as ill and far less likely to die. If you had two, for example, or one, and you haven’t had your full three, to put it bluntly, you’re crazy.”

In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews said he also wanted consideration of booster shots for health workers.

“Some of their immunity is waning, so getting them fourth jabs as fast as possible is very important to help keep Covid out of the hospital,’’ he said.