South Australians who are yet to get vaccinated against COVID-19 now have an additional vaccine option, with appointments for the Novavax vaccine available from next week.
Premier Steven Marshall said bookings will open tomorrow with appointments available from next Wednesday at the Playford, Adelaide Myer Centre and Noarlunga COVID-19 vaccine clinics.
On Wednesday afternoon, South Australian Liberal senator Alex Antic exposed that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation may yet recommend at 4th or 5th vaccination dose for Australians to be 'up to date' (formerly 'fully vaccinated') against the virus.
Chair Nigel Crawford told a Senate inquiry:
"There's already four doses being recommended for a proportion of the population to be 'up to date'.
"Countries like Israel have recommended a 4th dose and we need to look international data to see the impact and what the new variant vaccines may look like.
"There is currently no recommendation for a routine 4th dose for healthy people 16 and over. "
Associate Professor Crawford said when pressed on whether ATAGI would recommend a 4th or 5th dose in that cohort, he responded:
"It is a possibility but no current recommendation to that effect."
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is yet to determine whether Novavax will be approved for booster shots. FlowNews24 has asked the state government what 'up to date' status recipients of Novavax will have under a booster shot mandate.
Premier Steven Marshall urged South Australians to take every opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine:
“This (Novavax) is another opportunity for South Australians who are yet to be vaccinated to protect themselves, their family, their work colleagues and the broader community – and is another weapon in our arsenal in the fight against COVID-19.
“Our first delivery of around 4,000 Novavax doses will be distributed throughout three clinics in Adelaide. Around 40 GPs and Pharmacies across the State will also be offering the vaccine.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granted provisional approval for Novavax last month, making it the first protein based COVID-19 vaccine to receive regulatory approval in Australia.
A primary vaccination course of Novavax consists of two doses, administered at least 21 days apart. Online bookings will be available from Friday 18 February at covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking/
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