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Highlights
- The booster vaccination program has begun in Australia.
- The program began formally on Monday, but on Saturday itself 173,000 doses have already been administered.
- The update on the vaccination among children was also provided by the health minister of Australia.
The booster vaccination program began in Australia on 8 November 2021. In the program, people above 18 and have received their 2nd dose of vaccination, six months ago can register themselves for the third dose of COVID-19 vaccination.
The program began formally on Monday, but on Saturday itself 173,000 doses have already been administered.
The Pfizer vaccination is administered to people irrespective of the previous vaccination jabs. The experts recommended that Pfizer is the preferred vaccine and AstraZeneca should be given to those who observed adverse reaction mRNA vaccination. Also, AstraZeneca is to be given to those who received it as their primary course.
Moderna vaccines will also be included in the booster program when it will receive their final approval from eth regulatory authorities.
As per the government guidelines, getting the booster shot is not compulsory for getting exemptions for the COVID-19 related restrictions.
Greg Hunt, Health Minister stated that two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine extend good protection against severe diseases but the vaccines are not efficient in preventing transmission over time.
He also added that, at present, there is no global view whether vaccination should be made an annual program or fourth vaccination is required.
An update on the vaccination of children has also been provided by Hunt. He said that there are very less chances that it will take place this year. The delay is happening because none of the vaccines has gotten any approval for young children.
Pfizer has gained approval in the US and Pfizer is looking for approval in Australia as well. Hunt commented on the same that regulators are waiting for paperwork to be submitted.
