Australia has formally begun administering booster shots of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, today. But as per statistics, more than 173,000 boosters had already been administered in Australia as of Saturday.
The booster doses will be given to people 18 and over who took their second shot more than six months ago.
Australia's Health Minister Greg Hunt said that while two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine provided very good protection, especially against severe disease, the vaccine's ability to prevent transmission waned over time.
"A booster dose, six or more months after the second dose, will make sure that the protection from the first doses is even stronger and longer-lasting and should help prevent the spread of the virus," Hunt said in a statement.
He also said there was no global view yet as to whether a fourth or annual vaccine would be needed.
Australia’s vaccination rate has picked up pace since July, after widely missing its initial targets, when its southeast was hit by a third wave of infections triggered by the highly infectious Delta variant forcing months-long lockdowns. Sydney and Melbourne, its largest cities and worst hit by the Delta wave, have been racing through their inoculations before gradually relaxing restrictions. Life returned close to normal on Monday in New South Wales, home to Sydney, as the state nears its 90 percent dual-dose vaccinations in people above 16.
With about 181,600 cases and 1,827 deaths, Australia’s coronavirus numbers are among the lowest in the developed world.
The booster doses will be given to people 18 and over who took their second shot more than six months ago.
Australia's Health Minister Greg Hunt said that while two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine provided very good protection, especially against severe disease, the vaccine's ability to prevent transmission waned over time.
"A booster dose, six or more months after the second dose, will make sure that the protection from the first doses is even stronger and longer-lasting and should help prevent the spread of the virus," Hunt said in a statement.
He also said there was no global view yet as to whether a fourth or annual vaccine would be needed.
Australia’s vaccination rate has picked up pace since July, after widely missing its initial targets, when its southeast was hit by a third wave of infections triggered by the highly infectious Delta variant forcing months-long lockdowns. Sydney and Melbourne, its largest cities and worst hit by the Delta wave, have been racing through their inoculations before gradually relaxing restrictions. Life returned close to normal on Monday in New South Wales, home to Sydney, as the state nears its 90 percent dual-dose vaccinations in people above 16.
With about 181,600 cases and 1,827 deaths, Australia’s coronavirus numbers are among the lowest in the developed world.
