New data reveals ‘critical’ danger in avoiding booster shot

Startling figures confirmed the big danger posed by not getting a booster shot, with one expert pleading with people to get the third jab.

Compared to people who’ve been triple-vaxxed, unvaccinated people are also a whopping 34 times more likely to end up in ICU.

The confronting new analysis from the Herald Sun reported that even double-jabbed Victorians who caught Covid were seven times more likely to require ICU treatment, than those who were triple-jabbed.

Speaking to the publication, Victoria’s Deputy chief health officer Prof Dan O’Brien said the Covid vaccine should be viewed as a “three-dose vaccine” with double-jabbed people “significantly” losing their protection from Covid three months after their second jab.

“I just really would love people to really get that concept of the third dose,” he said.

“It’s not just a sort of added window dressing – it’s actually really important and I think those figures really emphasise that.”

Stream the latest news on COVID-19 with Flash. Stream more than 20 global & local news sources. New to Flash? Try 14 days free now>

Prof Dan O’Brien said new data showed the third dose of the Covid vaccine should be considered critical. Picture: Sean Gallup/ Getty Images

Appearing on the Today show on Monday morning Dr Nick Coatsworth advised all eligible groups to “strongly consider” a booster dose, even if you don’t have underlying medical conditions that could put you at risk for more serious infection.

However, for people who are “high risk” like adults over the age of 65 and people with chronic medical conditions like heart and respiratory disease, the booster is essential, said the infectious disease expert, quotin the new data.

“You really need to be getting that booster if you’re in a risk group and strongly consider it even if you’re not,” he said.

According to Sunday’s data from the federal Department of Health, 9,991,919 Australians over the age of 16 have received over two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, while 94 per cent of Australians over the age of 16 are double-jabbed.

This daily infographic provides the total number of vaccine doses administered in Australia 🇦🇺 as of 12 February 2022 📅

Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccine information here 💻 https://t.co/lsM33j9wMWpic.twitter.com/2jkqGSYBn9

— Australian Government Department of Health (@healthgovau) February 13, 2022

‘Up-to-date’ status changed

This comes as the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) changed what classified as “up-to-date” for the Covid-19 vaccines from two doses to three. The medical board updated their recommendation after estimates indicated “lower initial vaccine effectiveness” against the Omicron variant with just two doses of Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine.

Effectively, this means a previously “fully vaccinated” person (double-dosed) could lose about 50 per cent of their protection within 120 days, with their risk of hospitalisation also falling to 52 per cent.

ATAGI also found that there were “no safety signals of concern for an earlier booster dose given from three months after the primary series” with the third dose offering an 88 per cent increased effectiveness against hospitalisation.

However, despite the advice from the government’s immunisation advisory body, any updates to official booster mandates will be left to the state governments, Health Minister Greg Hunt confirmed.