Australians over the age of 30 are now eligible for a fourth Covid-19 vaccine, following advice from the the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
ATAGI has updated its recommendations for a winter dose of Covid-19 vaccine to help reduce severe disease from the emerging surge of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariant infections, and to ease pressure on our hospital systems.
From July 11, people aged 50 to 64 years old are recommended to receive a fourth dose.
The fourth dose is optional for people aged 30 to 49 years old.
The interval recommended between a recent Covid-19 infection or the first booster dose and a winter booster dose is now three months.
“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,” ATAGI said in a recent statement.
This group includes 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 (this will be their fifth dose), people aged 16 years or older with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe Covid-19 illness, 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 recommends individuals who have previously been infected with Covid-19 should continue to receive vaccine doses after a three month interval.
The recommendation comes as the Victorian Government renewed pandemic laws for another three months to October, continuing its power to reintroduce mandates.
