4th COVID-19 vaccine dose approved for vulnerable Australians
Date
3/25/2022 1:02:38 AM
(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
Medical regulators have approved a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose
for vulnerable Australians in the lead-up to winter, Trend reports citing Xinhua .
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ATAGI)
on Friday officially recommended a second booster vaccine for
over-65s, Indigenous Australians older than 50, those in disability
care and all immunocompromised people over 16.
Minister for health Greg Hunt said approving fourth doses was an
important step ahead of an expected spike in coronavirus cases
during winter.
'That dosing regimen will start in our pharmacies, in our
general practices, in our state and Commonwealth clinics, in our
Indigenous medical clinics from the fourth of April,' he told
reporters.
'It's for a window for four to six months after you have had
your first booster, and that's based on medical advice.'
The national influenza vaccine program will start on the same
day, with health authorities warning Australia is set for a double
blow of COVID-19 and flu outbreaks.
Hunt said in a statement that government-funded influenza
vaccines will become available through a range of providers
including general practitioners (GPs), community health clinics and
eligible pharmacies subject to local supply arrangement in states
and territories.
'The medical advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group
on Immunization is that it is safe to have the influenza and
COVID-19 vaccines at the same visit,' he said.
The Australian government announced on Friday that it is
scrapping a requirement for all overseas travelers to Australia to
return a negative COVID-19 test prior to departing for the
country.
The requirement was introduced late in 2021 when Australia's
borders were opened to residents and citizens.
'Given that the vaccination requirements remain and the masking
requirements, the medical advice is that (the test) would no longer
be required,' Hunt said.
'Particularly as there are some challenges in some jurisdictions
in having access to those tests or proving those tests.'
Tags:
- Australia
- coronavirus COVID-19
- vaccination
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