Australia to Roll Out Booster Vaccines to Aged Care Sector by November

Strategic Insights -

Australia's government plans to roll out booster vaccines to the aged care sector within weeks, with Health Minister Greg Hunt expecting third doses for all vaccinated Australians by the end of the year. The announcement comes as the country hits the 70% double-dose vaccination rate for those over 16, meeting a key milestone under the national plan. This milestone marks the transition to phase B, where restrictions begin to ease.

The government is in advanced consideration of an application from Pfizer for the use of its booster shots, with Hunt stating that third doses will be rolled out to the aged care sector in the second week of November. The booster program will not target different priority groups, with Hunt saying that the key consideration will be the time interval since the second dose. The government has not received an application for booster shots from Moderna or AstraZeneca, and Hunt expects people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine to receive a Pfizer booster shot.

Key Takeaways:

  • Australia's government plans to roll out booster vaccines to the aged care sector within weeks, with Health Minister Greg Hunt expecting third doses for all vaccinated Australians by the end of the year.
  • The government is in advanced consideration of an application from Pfizer for the use of its booster shots.
  • Third doses will be rolled out to the aged care sector in the second week of November.
  • The booster program will not target different priority groups, with Hunt stating that the key consideration will be the time interval since the second dose.
  • The government has not received an application for booster shots from Moderna or AstraZeneca.
  • People who received the AstraZeneca vaccine will likely receive a Pfizer booster shot.
  • Australia's first-dose vaccination rate is now at 85.5% nationally, with the double-dose rate at 70.01%.
  • More than 33m doses have been delivered.

Statistics:

  • 70% double-dose vaccination rate for those over 16
  • 85.5% first-dose vaccination rate nationally
  • 70.01% double-dose vaccination rate nationally
  • 33m doses delivered

Sources:

  • Greg Hunt, Health Minister of Australia
  • Professor Paul Kelly, Chief Health Officer
  • The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (Atagi)
  • The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
  • The Guardian News [1]