The COVID-19 booster vaccination rollout program is officially under way locally with an initial focus on residential aged care and disability facilities.
Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said booster doses will be administered free from a variety of locations.
“As we saw through the vaccine rollout, Central Coast residents have come forward to arm themselves and our community against COVID-19, with over 95 per cent having received at least one dose and 92.8 per cent fully vaccinated,” Wicks said.
“To provide further, additional protection, everyone living in Australia aged 18 and over who has completed their primary two-dose course of vaccination at least six months ago is now eligible to have an additional booster shot.
“The booster rollout program will initially target population groups that were prioritised for early vaccination because the great majority of people within these cohorts are now ready for their booster vaccination, having had their second dose six or more months ago.
“In relation to our local residential aged care facilities on the Central Coast, the booster program will start with in-reach clinics, delivered primarily by vaccine administration providers under contract arrangements with the Commonwealth.”
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended the Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine be preferred for the booster dose – irrespective of what vaccine a person received for their primary course of vaccination.
Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said Australia was well placed to deliver one of the world’s first booster programs.
“With over 151 million Pfizer, Novavax and Moderna vaccines already secured for supply into the future, Australia is well prepared to provide booster doses as approvals are provided by the medical experts,” Hunt said.
“In the context of boosters, it is important people know that two doses of COVID-19 vaccine provide very good protection, especially against severe disease.
“A booster dose, six or more months after the second dose, will make sure that the protection from the first doses is even stronger and longer lasting and should help prevent spread of the virus.”
Severely immunocompromised people who have had a third dose to complete their primary course of vaccination are not currently being recommended by ATAGI to have a booster dose.
People eligible for a booster vaccine can make an appointment by visiting www.australia.gov.au or through the Vaccine Clinic Finder at www.health.gov.au.
Source:
Media release, Nov 9
Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks