Major change to Covid booster dose eligibility flagged

Sources have flagged a major change to rules surrounding Covid-19 vaccines as health officials warn of a deadly new wave.

Australia’s vaccine regulator is a step closer to introducing a new, Omicron-specific vaccine for Australians. Picture: Frederic J. Brown / AFP

Many more Australians will soon be eligible for a fourth Covid-19 booster vaccine to help battle rising case numbers, reports suggest.

Following a meeting by the vaccine regulator, sources say the official advice will change to everyone over the age of 30 becoming eligible for a fourth dose.

Currently, only those over 65 or with additional risk factors such as cancer or diabetes are recommended to get a fourth shot.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) could recommend the changes as soon as Thursday, Fairfax outlets reported.

Earlier on Wednesday, health authorities made a fresh plea for residents to “go back to basics” following the detection of five new Covid variants sweeping NSW.

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said she would support the national vaccine advisory group ATAGI on passing a fourth jab when she meets with them on Wednesday.

Anthony Albanese has also backed the call for Australians to access a fourth Covid shot, saying an expansion to eligibility is inevitable.

“We know well that the pandemic isn’t over, so my view is that we will inevitably follow what has occurred in other parts of the world and roll out a further booster shot,” the Prime Minister told reporters in Sydney.

“We know that over time, people’s immunity decreases as the distance from when they’ve received their last shot occurs. So ATAGI, no doubt, will look at the evidence.”

Cases of the immune-resistant Omicron variants have health officials fearing a new wave. Picture: University of Adelaide

Hospitalisations are set to peak again at the end of this month and into August – prompting a fresh plea from health officials to get a booster shot.

“We predict hospitalisations will be similar to BA. 1 in January,” Dr Chant said.

Dr Chant said the virus had “changed” and the newer BA. 4 and BA. 5 variants needed three or four vaccines for protection.

“Disregard anything we’ve said about two doses. It’s three doses or more,” she said.

Australia’s vaccine regulator is a step closer to introducing a new, Omicron-specific vaccine as cases of the strain surge.

This week the Therapeutic Goods Administration granted initial approval towards considering two new vaccines developed by Pfizer.

It comes as cases of the immune-resistant Omicron variants have health officials fearing a devastating new wave.

NSW residents are being urged to ‘go back to basics’ amid a Covid peak. Picture: David Clark

Pfizer has developed two new vaccines – Comirnaty Omicron and Comirnaty Bivalent.

The former targets the spike protein of the Omicron BA. 1 variant and the latter targets a mixture of the original Omicron strain and BA. 1 variant.

The TGA granted provisional determinations for the vaccines, allowing Pfizer to apply for them to be rolled out in Australia.

It is, however, just one step in the process and does not guarantee ultimate approval.

The TGA is also currently considering an application from Moderna for a new booster shot that targets the B. 4 Omicron variant.

In making its determination, the TGA said it considered the seriousness of the Covid pandemic as well as Pfizer’s intention to submit comprehensive clinical data.