Fourth Covid jab for australians aged over 65 set to be approved

More than four million people are expected to become eligible for another booster shot.

A woman gets her covid jab.

Aussies aged over 65 are set to be given the green light for a fourth Covid jab to protect them against the virus this winter.

The cohort will become eligible for another booster shot from April 4, if it has been at least four months since their last booster.

Health Minister Greg Hunt made the announcement on Friday, after receiving advice from Australia’s expert immunisation panel.

“Similar to other respiratory viruses such as the flu, it is likely an increase in Covid-19 cases will be seen over winter,” Mr Hunt said.

“For this reason, the Australians considered most at risk should ideally receive their winter Covid-19 dose before.”

More than four million people will become eligible for the extra protection, including: aged care residents, immunocompromised people aged over 16, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50 and residents at disability care facilities.

Vaccines will be made available via GPs, pharmacies, state and commonwealth clinics.

“A booster is your best protection against the most severe impacts of Covid and may provide protection against long Covid,” Mr Hunt said.

Aussies aged over 65 are set to be given the green light for a fourth Covid jab.

The Herald Sun in February revealed the plans were being drawn up for aged care residents to receive another Covid jab and a flu shot at the same time.

People were last year advised to wait up to 14 days between the two vaccines.

But the new dose can now be provided at the same time as the annual flu vaccine, which will also be rolled out from April 4.

The federal government is investing more than $100m in flu vaccines for: adults aged 65 and over, children under five, pregnant women, indigenous Australians of all ages, and people with certain medical conditions.

Mr Hunt encouraged people to book appointments from mid-April to ensure they had the best protection at the peak of the season, which is usually between June and September.

An aged care winter preparedness committee is due to meet next week to discuss the logistics of the booster and flu shot roll out to nursing home residents and staff.

Aged & Community Services Australia CEO Paul Sadler said the interval between the doses will determine how quickly shots go in arms.

Leading Age Services Australia CEO Sean Rooney said any plan would need to be nationally co-ordinated, and communicated in advance to providers, residents and home and community care clients ahead of delivery.

The committee is also working to ensure facilities have enough personal protective equipment ahead of prospective Covid and influenza waves.

Originally published as Fourth Covid jab for australians aged over 65 set to be approved