By Jamie Salter
People are now eligible to receive their Covid-19 booster shot four months after they received their second vaccination, instead of the previous time frame of five months.
The change recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation came into effect on Tuesday 4 January.
Wait times for the booster shots will be reduced further on Monday 31 January to just three months to increase protection against infection with the Omicron variant.
Booster doses are not mandatory but are recommended to reduce the risk of symptomatic infection, severe illness and death from Covid-19.
People who are 18 years and older and have waited four months since their second dose can now receive the booster shot.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hut said Australia has delivered more than 2.5 million boosters.
“This is the start of the process where people who are four months or more from their second dose will become eligible for the booster,” Minister Hunt said.
“And I think this is a great thing.
“There is enough vaccine for every Australian to have their booster already in country and all orders are being met.”
The change to wait times comes just before Australia’s Covid-19 vaccination program will be extended to all children aged five to 11 from Monday 10 January.
Victoria recorded 14,020 locally acquired cases on Tuesday 4 January.
