ATAGI recommends no change to booster shot program amid Omicron threat

The national vaccine advisory body has made a call on when Australians will need their Covid-19 booster shots, amid growing concerns over the Omicron variant.

Booster shots will be available six months after a person receives their second dose of the vaccine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

The national vaccine advisory body has made a call on when Australians will need their Covid-19 booster shots, amid speculation the program could be pushed forward to combat the threat of the new Omicron variant.

Speaking to reporters this morning, chief medical officer Paul Kelly said that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAG) has recommended no widespread change be made to the program.

“Just a quote directly from them, ‘There is no evidence to suggest that an earlier booster dose of the current Covid-19 vaccines will augment the protection against the Omicron variant’,” Professor Kelly said.

However, they do recommend severely immunocompromised people get a booster shot two months after their second vaccine dose.

“But, [with] the general population, the advice from ATAGI remains a six-month gap between the second dose and the booster program. So, in summary – no change.”

Prof Kelly stressed that “it is really important now, with the emergence of the Omicron variant, that we do go ahead and get that booster when people are due”.

Chief medical officer Paul Kelly said there will be “no change” to Australia’s booster shot program. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

The government has released new information on how people will be notified it’s time for their booster shot. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

It comes after new details of Australia’s Covid booster shot campaign have been revealed.

From 2022, the Federal Government will notify people through the often-maligned MyGov app when they are available for the additional jab.

The message will come through a direct alert or through a note in the MyGov portal.

The MyGov service houses important information including Medicare and Centrelink access and details. However, it has often been a cause of frustration for users, who often complain about crashes and confusing pathways.

Its last crash was just over a week ago.

By the end of the year, 1.75 million people are expected to be eligible for booster shots. This number will more than double by the end of January to 4.1 million and then to 7.5 million at February’s end.

By the end of May, 17.5 million people will be eligible.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) president Dr Karen Price said doctors were concerned about the current lack of information urging people to get boosters.

By the end of May 2022, 17.5 million Australians will be eligible for a third jab. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

“It’s pretty clear to me as a clinician that everybody really should get a booster,” she told Nine Newspapers.

“It’s just a question of how we’re going to do that.

“It’s not just a straightforward ‘line up and get your dose’, we do have to be spending some time adequately giving people the right information so that they can make an informed decision.”

It comes as the Israeli Health Minister announced those up to date with their booster shots would have greater protection against the new Omicron variant.

Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz was optimistic about the jabs dealing with the new strain.

“In the coming days we will have more accurate information about the efficacy of the vaccine against Omicron,” he said.

“But there is already room for optimism, and there are initial indications that those who are vaccinated with a vaccine still valid or with a booster, will also be protected from this variant.”