ATAGI

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is reviewing evidence on COVID-19 booster shots for the winter season.

We are at the start of a 3rd COVID-19 Omicron wave and expect to see a significant rise in cases. The ATAGI said in a statement its goal is to minimise severe risks from COVID-19, including hospitalisation and death. Please continue to do the little things: stay home when unwell, test if you have symptoms & stay up to date with your vaccinations. “We’re not ruling anything out in terms of introducing mask requirements and that kind of thing. “Increasing the uptake of winter booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine in populations most at risk during this time is anticipated to play a limited, but important role in reducing the risk from COVID-19 to individuals and pressure on the healthcare system,” a statement read. The ATAGI said the updated recommendations were a result of the strain on the health system from the recent surge in cases, which the organisation said was expected to worsen.

Recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on the COVID-19 vaccine winter dose.

However, a winter booster dose remains recommended for individuals aged 16 years or more who have a higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 (i.e. they are immunocompromised or have a complex medical condition or disability) as they are most likely to benefit. Based on first principles and currently available evidence, reaching a higher level of coverage of the COVID-19 winter booster dose in older adults, including those aged 50 to 64 years, is likely to reduce the number of COVID-19 related hospitalisations over the coming months. ATAGI recognises that some people aged 30 to 49 years would also like to reduce their risk of infection from COVID-19 and therefore may consider a winter booster dose. This includes increased use of masks and increasing the use of antiviral treatment in people diagnosed with COVID-19, including in people aged 50 years and above. Reducing the interval between a first booster dose and a winter dose from 4 months to 3 months will also help provide earlier protection as infection rates rise. A surge in cases of COVID-19 from the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants is a contributing factor and is expected to worsen in the coming months. Augmented neutralisation resistance of emerging omicron subvariants BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5. Lancet Infect Dis. 2022 Jun 28:S1473-3099(22)00422-4. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00422-4. Epub ahead of print. 2 A winter dose (the second booster dose) is anticipated to boost this immune response. Increasing the uptake of winter booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine in populations most at risk during this time is anticipated to play a limited, but important role in reducing the risk from COVID-19 to individuals and pressure on the healthcare system. Available from:The New England Journal of Medicine doi: 10.1056/NEJMc2206576. Epub ahead of print. 2,3 A first booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to increase the immune response to these new subvariants, but wanes over several weeks.

Australians aged 30 and over are now eligible to get their fourth dose of a COVID vaccine. The health minister announced the news on Thursday.

ATAGI has specifically recommended those aged over 50 should have their fourth dose, while those aged 30-49 may also choose to get one. It means an additional 7.4 million Australians are now eligible for their second booster. Australians aged 30 and over will be eligible to get their fourth dose of a COVID vaccine from Monday.

Australians over the age of 30 will have access to a fourth COVID-19 jab from as early as this week as infections and hospitalisations continue to surge.

"It's been in place for a couple of weeks in the Eastern states moving its way westward across South Australia, my state, and WA as well. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Stream more COVID-19 news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place.

ATAGI is recommending that adults between the ages of 50 to 64 years should receive a winter booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Increasing the uptake of winter booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine in populations most at risk during this time is anticipated to play a limited, but important role in reducing the risk from COVID-19 to individuals and pressure on the healthcare system,” ATAGI said. However, a winter booster dose remains recommended for individuals aged 16 years or more who have a higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.” The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is recommending that adults between the ages of 50 to 64 years should receive a winter booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while adding that people aged 30 to 49 years could receive a winter booster dose but the benefits of doing so were less certain.