Warning as Covid strains spread rapidly

Australians have been urged to forget everything they have been told about two vaccinations being enough to protect against hospitalisation and urged to keep up to date with boosters currently available.

One option under consideration is to lower the age where a fourth shot is currently made available to over 65s to people aged over 50.

“I know that the authorities including ATAGI are looking at that [approving a fourth jab]. I think it’s a question of when rather than whether it will happen. We need to make sure that people continue to keep up their vaccinations,” the Prime Minister said.

Mr Albanese confirmed discussions were underway with the Health Department leaders and the chief medical officer as the states call for action.

In March, ATAGI recommended a fourth dose for all over-65s, as well as all residents of aged and disability care facilities, regardless of age.

Those aged 16 and above with severe immunocompromise and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and older were also included in that recommendation.

But that could be extended to more adults without comorbidieis in coming weeks.

“I’ve certainly asked them to look at that issue [fourth shots] and also to look at the availability of antivirals as well. Because that [antivirals] can have an impact in getting people through the Covid issues and symptoms if they do get Covid,” Mr Albanese said.

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant warned on Tuesday that the reinfection risk from the BA. 4 and BA. 5 sub-variants on Tuesday combined with cases of winter influenza.

“My message to everyone is disregard anything we said about two doses; it’s three doses or more,’’ she said.

“There’s many people, me included, who are about six months since their third dose. I wouldn’t mind a top-up in my immune protection.”

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has urged the Albanese government to act swiftly.

“We need to broaden it and we need to do it quickly”, he said.

“Every dose helps.

“These rather pesky little variants are quite intelligent, and they’re working their way around the current vaccines to an extent/

“What we do know is that if we’re fully vaccinated, we’re far less likely to get as ill and far less likely to die. If you had two, for example, or one, and you haven’t had your full three, to put it bluntly, you’re crazy.”

In Victoria, Premier Dan Andrews said he also wanted consideration of booster shots for health workers.

“Some of their immunity is waning, so getting them fourth jabs as fast as possible is very important to help keep Covid out of the hospital,’’ he said.

Originally published as ‘When, not if’: PM flags fourth Covid shot on the cards for under 65s