PSA: Over 30s Are Eligible For A Fourth Dose Of COVID Vaccine
More than five million people in Australia are still yet to get their third dose.
Australians over 30 are eligible for their fourth dose of COVID vaccine from next week as cases continue to rise.
Health Minister Mark Butler made the announcement on Thursday afternoon, confirming that it is highly recommended for people aged 50 to 65, but optional for those aged 30 to 49.
“The Australian Government has accepted the recommendations of the ATAGI [Australian Technical Advisory Group On Immunisation] vaccine experts and will open the fourth dose to those newly eligible from Monday, 11 July,” said Butler in a statement.
breaking: health minister Mark Butler confirms 4th COVID shots will be offered to all Australians aged 30+
"ATAGI specifically recommended that people aged 50 to 64 years should have their fourth dose, while people aged 30 to 49 years may choose to have a fourth shot" pic.twitter.com/0lDk7ktY9t
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) July 7, 2022
“ATAGI specifically recommended that people aged 50 to 64 years should have their fourth dose, while people aged 30 to 49 years may choose to have a fourth shot.”
There is no word yet on when the fourth dose will be available for people under 30, with ATAGI advice remaining uncertain on whether the benefits outweigh the risks for that age group.
Butler stressed that the fourth dose is of particular importance to people over 65.
“ATAGI reiterated that people who had already been eligible for the fourth dose, including those aged 65 years and over, remain at higher risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19,” said Butler.
“As at 7 July 2022, 60 percent of people aged 65 years and over have had their fourth dose. People who haven’t already received it are strongly encouraged to have it as soon as possible.”
Additionally, ATAGI has recommended that the wait time between your third and fourth doses be reduced from four months to three months.
The news comes after the ATAGI agreed to expand Australia’s booster program in a meeting on Wednesday — information that was relayed to the Health Minister on Thursday morning.
Currently, more than five million Australians are overdue for their booster shot, with the figures being particularly dire in the over 65 population, where 40 percent of people are yet to be boosted.
Australia is reporting approximately 33,000 COVID cases per day right now, so although we’re “living with the virus”, the pandemic is far from over.
If you haven’t already, you can get your third COVID vaccine for free, even if you don’t have a Medicare card.