The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation [ATAGI] has updated its recommendations for winter booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to help fight the emerging new wave of infections.
In a statement from ATAGI, it said that the new recommendations would help to reduce severe disease from the surge of new Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariant infections and lessen the burden on Australian hospitals and the healthcare system in coming months.
The new recommendations are that adults aged 50 to 64 years, including those in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, are recommended to receive a winter booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Adults aged 30 to 49 years can also receive a winter booster dose.
However, according to ATAGI, the benefit for people in this age group is less certain.
The recommended interval between a recent COVID-19 infection or the first booster dose and a winter booster dose is three months.
ATAGI said that people previously eligible for a winter booster dose remain at higher risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19 and should receive a winter booster dose as soon as possible.
They include:
• All adults aged 65 years or older;
• Residents of aged care or disability care facilities;
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years or older;
• People who are severely immunocompromised [fifth dose];
• People aged 16 years or older with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness; and
• People aged 16 years or older with disability, significant or complex health needs, or multiple comorbidities which increase the risk of a poor outcome.
ATAGI also said that individuals who have previously had COVID-19 should continue to receive recommended vaccines doses after an interval of three months from infection, as prior infection alone would not provide sufficient protection.
Details: www.health.gov.au/news/atagi-updated-recommendations-for-a-winter-dose-of-covid-19-vaccine
