As the COVID-19 vaccination rollout ramps up across New South Wales, discussions are already beginning around booster shots, as well as third doses of the jab for immunocompromised people.
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Earlier this month the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) released new advice for all people aged over 12 with certain conditions, or undergoing specific therapies.
The advice recommends a third dose of the vaccine, preferably Pfizer, be given to immunocompromised people two to six months after their second dose.
An interval of just four weeks is suggested in exceptional circumstances.
Severely immunocompromised people who received their second dose more than six months ago are recommended to get another injection as soon as possible.
Dr Len Bruce, executive director of medical services at the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, said that the third doses are "not really a booster dose" but something separate.
"There are certain patients who, for various reasons, have an immune response that is not as effective, and they may require a third dose to make sure that they get the same level of protection as other individuals," he said.
The MLHD began its rollout for immunocompromised people this week, which COVID-19 coordinator Emma Field described as a "third primary dose".
Ms Field added that no matter what people received for their first two doses, they will receive an mRNA vaccine as their third - either Pfizer or Moderna.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Greg Hunt suggested that the general population could start receiving booster shots by the end of the year, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration and ATAGI currently preparing advice on it.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Ms Field said the MLHD is awaiting advice from ATAGI around the rollout of boosters and what the timeline may look like.
A study released by Pfizer and German parter BioNTech SE on Thursday shows that their booster dose was 95.6 per cent effective against COVID when compared with a vaccinated group with only two doses of the vaccine.
The booster administered roughly 11 months after the second shot worked against the highly contagious Delta variant of coronavirus, the study also said.
More than 70 per cent of Australia's eligible population have now been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The World Health Organisation has spoken out against booster shots in wealthy countries, arguing that these should be directed to poorer nations desperate for their first rounds of the vaccine.
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