Doctors are being urged to ensure high-risk patients have the new COVID booster, with only a quarter of them having received a vaccine in the past six months.
Figures show that only 23% of people aged 75 and over and 14% of those aged 65–74 have received a COVID booster in the last 6 months.
The new COVID-19 booster Pfizer JN.1 booster, which was released on December 9, targets new subvariant strains of the virus.
The WA Health Department’s Director Communicable Diseases Dr Paul Armstrong said COVID-19 had changed a lot over the past year within Australia and throughout the world.
“The new vaccine is expected to provide increased protection against the Omicron subvariants which are now circulating in WA,” he said.
“COVID-19 can cause life-threatening complications, particularly among older adults and people with underlying medical conditions.
“With Christmas just around the corner, people may be out socialising with family and friends so there is the potential for infection to spread more easily compared to other times of the year.
“The best way to protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19 is to stay home if you are unwell, cover coughs and sneezes, wash or sanitise your hands often, consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor or high-risk settings, and get a booster vaccination.”
Australians without severe immunocompromise aged 18–64-year-olds were also encouraged to consider a booster every 12 months, but very few did, with only 6% receiving a vaccine in the last 12 months.
According to the foundation’s recent adult vaccination survey, more than half of people with lung disease are very worried about contracting a respiratory infection, compared to a fifth of those without lung disease.
Foundation CEO Mark Brooke said the vaccine was not only important for protecting people and minimising disruptions over the holiday season, it also reduced the risk of long COVID which can affect people of any age or health status.
Symptoms can include fatigue, breathlessness and brain fog, and may affect people for months after contracting COVID.
The current recommendations for COVID-19 boosters are:
- Aged 75 and over: boosters recommended every 6 months.
- Aged 65-74: boosters recommended every 12 months.
- Aged 18-64: boosters recommended annually for those with severe immunocompromise; others should consider getting the booster every 12 months.
The booster is free at pharmacies and medical clinics across Australia.
For more information visit Lung Foundation Australia’s COVID-19 page, HealthyWA: COVID-19 vaccine (healthywa.wa.gov.au) and the Commonwealth Government’s COVID-booster eligibility checker.