Health Minister Encourages Australians to Stay up to Date With COVID Boosters

A vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Bivalent in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 6, 2022. Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images

Federal Minister Mark Butler is continuing to encourage Australians to take the jab, saying the vaccine is the most “important measure” to protect against severe diseases like COVID-19.

The vaccine will continue to be available for “free” in Australia every 12 months for adults, or every six months for those who are immunocompromised or over 65.

The government has taken up the advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on the country’s national 2024 vaccination program.

ATAGI said it recommends a dose of COVID-19 vaccine for adults every six months for adults older than 75.

Individuals between 65 and 74, or those Australians who are severely immuncompromised are recommended to take a booster every 12 months.

These Australians can consider the vaccine every six months based on a risk-benefit assessment, ATAGI suggested (pdf).

Meanwhile, all other adults “can consider” a COVID-19 vaccine every 12 months based on a risk-benefit assessment. Children between five to 18 are asked to consider the jab if they are severely immunocompromise.

The government said teenagers and children in good health “do not need a booster” dose in 2024 due to the low level of severe illness and high level of hybrid immunity against this group.

“As with all vaccinations, people are encouraged to discuss the vaccine options available to them with their health practitioner. If the required 6 or 12 months has passed since your last vaccination, you are encouraged to come forward for another booster,” the government said.

Health Minister Butler said COVID-19 vaccines continue to be available free of charge and are “widely available” at general practices and pharmacies.

“Vaccination remains the most important measure to protect against the risk of severe disease from COVID-19,” Mr. Butler said.

“COVID-19 vaccines are available every 6 months for older people and adults with severe immunocompromise, and an annual vaccine dose for other adults.

“Adults aged 75 years and over are the most vulnerable to severe disease and are strongly encouraged to come forward for a booster dose if it has been more than six months from their last dose.

He said COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered with other vaccines, like the annual influenza vaccine.

US Health Officials Recommend Booster Shot for Those Over 65

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States has recommended that those over 65 receive a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if at least four months have passed since their last jab.

“Most COVID-19 deaths and hospitalisations last year were among people 65 years and older. An additional vaccine dose can provide added protection that may have decreased over time for those at highest risk,” Dr. Mandy Cohen said.

This panel decision, with an 11 to 1 vote, was made after discussion about whether softer language such as “may” should be used rather than “should,” the Washington Post reported.

Vaccine Mandate Struck Down in Queensland

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Queensland declared vaccine mandates were unlawful under section 58 of the Human Rights Act 2019 on Feb. 27.

The judge ordered (pdf) that the police commissioner and director-general of Queensland Health were now restrained from taking any enforcement actions or disciplinary proceedings related to mandates.

The judge did not address the vaccine’s transmissibility or efficacy in the ruling.

Former Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth said the ruling may open the door for civil proceedings and damages against governments regarding human rights violations.

“I can’t do this segment without acknowledging my own role in a system that promoted vaccine mandates. But I think what this ruling does is calls into question the basis on which those mandates were put in,” he said.