Fourth Covid jab being considered for certain Aussies amid reports ATAGI to change ‘fully vaccinated’ definition

Authorities are considering giving a fourth Covid vaccine dose to certain people, while the definition of “fully vaccinated” could soon change.

Authorities in Australia are considering giving a fourth Covid vaccine dose to certain people, while the definition of “fully vaccinated” could soon change.

The Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said “older Australians and perhaps those working with vulnerable patients” are being considered for a fourth dose.

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

Some nations around the world are also looking at offering fourth doses of the jab, while Israel has already given fourth doses to 500,000 people.

Four million more Australians can now get their Covid-19 booster shots as the gap between second and third doses is cut to three months from today. Some 16 million Aussies have been made eligible for a booster with 7.6 million of those having already taken up the offer.

A total of 93.3 per cent of Aussies are vaccinated with at least two doses.

The news comes as Australia’s vaccine advisory body is gearing up to change the definition of a “fully vaccinated” person, according to new reports.

Sky News’ political editor Andrew Clennell revealed last night that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) will soon categorise a fully vaccinated Australian as someone who has had three doses of a TGA-approved Covid-19 jab.

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ATAGI will soon categorise a fully vaccinated Australian as someone who has had three doses of a TGA-approved Covid-19 jab. Picture: Hans Punz/AFP

Under the current definition, those considered fully vaccinated “have received two doses of any Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved or TGA-recognised Covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days apart” and “are least 7 days post their second dose”.

Clennell said that the move to include a third dose in the definition showed “the campaign for Australians to take their booster shots is in full swing”.

“The federal government knows that it is up against it in getting all Australians to get a third jab, but figures as more people perish from the virus, it will encourage people to come forward for their shots,” he said.

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.

“I think it’s only a matter of time before the relevant federal agencies confirm that this is three doses, it is not two plus a bonus,” he said, urging Victorians to take up their booster.

“That’s critically important in terms of protection, particularly as we look ahead to the rest of the year. We have [challenge] every winter, but particularly if we get that combination of Covid and flu, being three-dose protected is incredibly important.”

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 their initial two doses.

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

More than 7.5 million Australians have now gotten their booster. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw

Questions are mounting, though, over whether three doses will be enough to help protect Australians from the virus.

“As for fourth and fifth [doses], let’s wait and see how this goes,” Mr Andrews said regarding the matter.

“Being vaccinated saves lives.”

ATAGI’s Professor Allen Cheng said earlier this month that it was too premature to determine if a second booster will be needed later this year to halt the spread of the more infectious Omicron variant.

While in Australia a fourth dose is recommended for people with compromised immune systems, Professor Cheng told The Sydney Morning Herald that the nation’s chief vaccine advisers whether a jab that specifically targets Omicron – like the Pfizer one currently in the works – will be needed to stem the outbreak for good.

“All of this is on the table,” the epidemiologist said.

“But it is too early to make the call yet. We need to wait for the data.”

The TGA on Friday granted Pfizer provisional approval to offer a booster to 16- and 17-year-olds, two months after Australia’s third dose rollout began.

Health Minister Greg Hunt described the development as “an important next step”, adding that ATAGI was working through final approval.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt urged all Australians who are eligible to get their third dose. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Luis Enrique Ascui

“We are hoping to receive the ATAGI advice within the next week, if not earlier. And if that’s a positive then we can make this available immediately,” he told reporters.

“It’s available widely, we have doses distributed that are available being drawn on daily. So if we receive advice, then it will be authorised for approval the next day.”

Mr Hunt also urged the thousands of Australians who have recovered from the virus not to become complacent.

“If you have had Omicron, the simple message is: you still need to be boosted,” he said.

“We want all Australians to come forward to be boosted. Once you’ve cleared your symptoms, then it’s appropriate for you to come forward, so long as you are eligible for your dose.”

As of Monday, Australians are now eligible for their booster just three months after their second dose.