Health authorities recommend FIFTH Covid vaccine ahead of winter spike
Certain Australians will soon be eligible for a fifth dose of a Covid-19 vaccine ahead of the winter months.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recently recommended people aged over 16-years-old who are severely immunocompromised get a "winter dose" of a Covid vaccine.
For some, the recommended "winter" dose will be the fifth shot and it is recommended to ensure people who are at greater risk of severe illness from Covid-19 have increased protection.
"People aged 16 years and older who received a 3-dose primary course due to severe immunocompromise and a booster (4th) dose are now recommended to receive an additional winter booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine, from 4 months after their first booster," ATAGI said.
However, there are still several groups of people who should get a 'winter' booster, whether the shot will be their fourth or fifth.
Groups recommended getting a 'winter' dose include:
People aged over 65-years-old
Residents of aged care or disability care facilities
People who are aged over 16-years-old and are severely immunocompromised
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are aged over 50-years-old
Those who are severely immunocompromised and have had four doses should also have a winter dose four months after their previous dose.
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) March 30, 2022
ATAGI had recommended that the rollout for the additional booster dose start from April 2022, to coincide with the rollout of the 2022 influenza program.
"Influenza vaccine can be co-administered with the additional booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine," ATAGI said.
"However, if a person is not yet eligible for their additional booster dose, influenza vaccine could be given ahead of the additional booster dose."
A winter dose is not currently recommended but remains under "active investigation" for people aged under 65-years-old with medical conditions that may increase their risk of Covid-19, health care, aged care and disability care workers and anyone aged between five and 64-years-old.
People aged over 18 can get a third Covid-19 dose. Over 12 million people in Australia have received more than two Covid-19 vaccines.
The updated advice from ATAGI comes ahead of winter when it is expected there will be a spike in Covid-19 cases alongside a rise in flu infections.
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