Both Pfizer and Moderna’s monovalent XBB 1.5 vaccines, which have been made to supply safety towards the Omicron subvariant, will quickly be out there to be used after getting the inexperienced gentle from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
“These new vaccines will help protect Australians against current strains of COVID-19 and demonstrate the government’s ongoing commitment to provide access to the latest and most effective vaccines,” Health Minister Mark Butler mentioned.
“Vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19, particularly for older adults and those who are immunocompromised.
“While we’re not within the emergency part of this pandemic, COVID-19 continues to be current, and folks ought to proceed to observe the recommendation of the consultants from ATAGI, together with getting vaccines as required.”
The Pfizer jab will be available for anyone aged five or over, while Moderna has been approved for people aged 12 and older.
The latest COVID-19 strain spreading across the world
Both were approved for use in the United States in September last year.
There has been no change to Australia’s vaccine eligibility recommendations, and the existing bivalent vaccines will continue to be available.
“All out there COVID-19 vaccines proceed to offer sturdy safety towards critical illness,” the health department said in a statement.
“The new XBB 1.5 vaccines have been discovered to offer modest improved safety towards the COVID-19 strains circulating locally…
“The new vaccine is a good reminder for people to get vaccinated if they haven’t had their recommended dose(s) in 2023.
“For individuals who have had their 2023 COVID-19 vaccination(s) they don’t have to get vaccinated once more and stay nicely protected towards extreme illness from COVID-19.”
The approval for the new jabs as a new wave of the virus spreads around the country.
However, he additionally mentioned waves have been getting much less extreme.
Source: www.9news.com.au
