The emergence of a fourth wave of COVID has refocussed attention on vaccine efficacy and the potential need for another booster.
Yet while the recent spike in COVID cases has triggered a wave of media stories speculating on the need for a fifth booster shot for Australians, ATAGI is still currently focused on the rollout of the third primary and fourth booster.
The fifth booster was mentioned in the advisory group’s Recommendations on the use of 3rd primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised, published 21 September 2022, which noted that only those aged 16 years and older with immunocompromise would be eligible to receive a fifth shot.
However, according to the latest vaccination figures, as of 28 August 2022, only 71.7% of Australia’s eligible population had received a third dose/first booster and 54.4% of eligible people aged 50 years or older had received a fourth dose/second booster.
Australia is currently experiencing a renewed wave of infections, with the latest figures showing that over the last week, 37,097 cases were reported across Australia, an average of 5,300 per day.
WA recorded 941 cases per day, a 17% increase on last week’s statistics, and on the east coast, QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the state’s COVID advisory system would switch from green to amber, based on their 15% increase and the advice of QLD‘s Chief Health Officer, Dr John Gerrard.
“It means that it is recommended that we should wear a mask in healthcare settings, on public transport and rideshares, indoors where you cannot socially distance and if you are around people who are vulnerable to COVID,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“The fourth wave that we have been expecting has arrived.”
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, who appeared on several popular breakfast shows on 7 November 2022 to discuss the issue, said that the increase in COVID case numbers reflected community transmission of the new Omicron variant XBB.
“We are also closely monitoring the overseas transmission of a second Omicron variant – BQ.1.” Professor Kelly said.
“All indications are that this is the start of a new COVID wave in Australia. This was to be expected and will be part of living with COVID into the future.
“While evidence is still emerging, the experience to date with these two variants overseas is that they do not appear to pose a greater risk of severe illness and death – and that the COVID vaccines provide good protection against these outcomes.”
These new variants are predicted to overtake BA.5 as the dominant strain in Australia in coming weeks.
“There are three things everyone can do to reduce the threat of these variants across our communities – and help limit the size of the wave,” Professor Kelly said.
“Firstly, make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations – including having a third or fourth dose if you haven’t had them already.
“Vaccination is your best protection against getting severely ill or dying from COVID and evidence from overseas indicates vaccination also reduces the prevalence of symptoms associated with long-COVID.
“Secondly, keep a mask handy when away from home. If you’re at indoor public places or in crowded settings, a mask can help protect you and reduce the chance of infecting others.
“And thirdly, if you have tested positive or are not feeling well, stay at home until the symptoms have passed… Through these three measures, you can make a significant contribution to protecting yourself, your family and friends, and the wider community against these new COVID variants.”