Scott Morrison says change to definition of fully vaccinated ‘possible’ soon

The Prime Minister has dropped a big hint about changing the definition of who is considered “fully vaccinated” in Australia.

What it means to be fully vaccinated is likely to change within the coming weeks, with Scott Morrison flagging the change is “quite possible”.

But the Prime Minister has insisted whether a change is made “doesn’t matter” either way because his government does not support vaccine mandates.

Speaking on Brisbane radio on Thursday, Mr Morrison was asked about the potential expansion of the definition of fully vaccinated from two doses to three.

“Whether we move to recognising the vaccination, the three-dose vaccination, that’s been under intense analysis by the health officials now for some time,” he told B105.

Scott Morrison has given a major hint on changes to the definition of fully vaccinated. Picture: NCA/ Gary Ramage

“It’s quite possible they could go to that.

“But that really for me doesn't matter either way because we don’t support those mandates and things like that.”

He added that it was critical for Aussies to receive their booster shot given the lessons learnt from the recent Omicron peak, but he wasn’t going to tell people what to do.

“The position is that you should get your booster and particularly because of Omicron. One of the things we've learned over dealing with Omicron these last two months (is) that the booster helps prevent that transmission.

“I don't think people should need to be told to do it. And so many don’t, they just do it because it’s in their best interest.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been vocal in his push to have the third dose included and has flagged any change could have ramification for entering venues and events.

A change would mean a person would have to have three doses of the vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Earlier on the Today show, Health Minister Greg Hunt said it was “more likely than not” that the definition of fully vaccinated would change.

“I think it is more likely than not, that's my expectation. We want everybody to be boosted in any event,” Mr Hunt said.

A senate committee was told on Wednesday that the term fully vaccinated could be replaced with “up to date on vaccinations”.

The nation’s expert immunisation panel has been deliberating whether or not to change the definition to include the third dose, with advice expected to be handed to the government within two weeks.

ATAGI chair Nigel Crawford said it would bring the Covid-19 jabs closer into line with other vaccination programs.

“We think the best terminology is actually ‘up to date with vaccination status’ rather than ’fully vaccinated’,” he told the parliamentary inquiry.

“That’s a term that we’ve used in the childhood program.

“So essentially, as you have your children get vaccinated, we say are you ‘up to date with your immunisations’ at a certain date or point in time.”