Sarah Mooney
People aged 50 to 64 are to be offered a second Covid-19 booster vaccine dose this autumn under new recommendations.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced on Saturday that he had accepted the recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac).
They will see a large section of the population receive further vaccine doses in the coming months, although healthy people under 50 - unless pregnant or a healthcare worker - are not currently set to be offered another shot.
Under the Niac recommendations, a second mRNA booster jab will be rolled out to those aged 50 to 64, those aged 12 to 49 with an underlying condition or resident in a longterm care facility, healthcare workers, and pregnant women from 16 weeks.
Children aged 5 to 11 who are immunocompromised will be offered a first mRNA booster dose, while a third booster will be offered to those aged 65 and older, and those aged 12 and older who are immunocompromised.
Niac made the recommendations to interim chief medical officer Breda Smyth, who endorsed them before they were accepted by Mr Donnelly.
📢 Update to #COVID19 vaccinations. Additional booster vaccines this autumn:
🟡Aged 5-11 and immunocompromised
🟡Aged 50-64
🟡Aged 12-49 with underlying condition / resident in LTCF
🟡Healthcare Workers
🟡Pregnant Women from 16 weeks
🟡Aged 65+ / 12-64 and immunocompromised pic.twitter.com/tRZnBPOM4z— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) July 23, 2022
Mr Donnelly also noted a further recommendation that Covid-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as seasonal influenza vaccines.
It comes as health officials prepare for “a very significant flu season” this autumn, with an upsurge in both flu and Covid-19 infections expected during the colder months.
Australia is currently experiencing a record number of cases, signalling a post-pandemic flu revival.
“What we’re planning for is a combination of an early flu season, a very significant flu season, together with a surge in Covid,” Mr Donnelly said earlier this week.
“Regardless of whether there’s a new variant of concern, people will be going back to work, people will be coming back from their holidays, people will begin to go back indoors again, and so that’s what we have to plan for.”
