According to new reports, Australia’s vaccine advisory body ATAGI is looking to change the definition of a “fully vaccinated person”.
Andrew Clennell, political editor of Sky News, revealed last night that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) will soon categorise a fully vaccinated Australian as someone who has had three doses of a TGA-approved COVID-19 vaccination.
With the current definition, those who are considered to be fully vaccinated “have received two doses of any Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) approved or TGA-recognised COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days apart” and “are at least 7 days post their second dose”.
Clennell has stated that the attempt to include a third dose in the official definition demonstrates the fact that “the campaign for Australians to take their booster shots is in full swing”.
“The federal government knows that it is up against it in getting all Australians a third jab, but figures as more people perish from the virus, it will encourage people to come forward for their shots,” he said.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has also hinted at the change on Sunday, telling reporters that it is inevitable that the definition of fully vaccinated will come to mean three doses instead of two.
Andrews said he expected the changes to be announced over the next week.
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“I think it’s only a matter of time before the relevant federal agencies confirm that this is three doses, it is not two plus a bonus,” he said, imploring Victorians to roll up their sleeves for a third time.
“That’s critically important in terms of protection, particularly as we look ahead to the rest of the year. We have [difficulties] every winter, but particularly if we get that combination of COVID and flu, being three-dose protected is incredibly important.”
According to the federal Health Department’s latest vaccine rollout update, 93.3% of Australians over the age of 16 have been fully vaccinated. That’s 19,237,151 people.
7,699,044 people over the age of 18 have had their third dose.
There have been questions as to whether a third dose will be sufficient enough to protect Aussies from the virus.
“As for fourth and fifth [doses], let’s wait and see how this goes,” Andrews said regarding the matter.
“Being vaccinated saves lives.”
On Friday, the TGA granted Pfizer provisional approval to offer a booster to 16- and 17-year olds, two months after Australia’s booster rollout began.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has urged the Australians who have recovered from the virus to not become complacent.
“If you have had Omicron, the simple message is: you still need to be boosted,” he said.
“We want all Australians to come forward to be boosted. Once you’ve cleared your symptoms, then it’s appropriate for you to come forward, so long as you are eligible for your dose.”
As of Monday, Australians are eligible for their booster three months after their second dose, as opposed to the original four.
If you are eligible for your booster, you can find an interactive map of vaccination clinics here.
For more on this topic, follow the Health & Wellness Observer.
