Senator Richard Colbeck, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, has confirmed the Commonwealth Department of Health is assessing whether a fourth COVID-19 vaccine can be administered at the time of the annual influenza vaccination.
“We are assessing current influenza vaccination systems and how a booster program might align with that as part of the winter plan,” he said.
“It is the next step in protecting the lives of senior Australians, particularly those in residential aged care, as we continue to navigate the impact of the pandemic.”
Sean Rooney, CEO of peak body Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), said a nationally coordinated plan to administer a fourth COVID-19 vaccine and annual flu jab at the same time would offer the best protection for residents in aged care homes.
“Any plan will need to be nationally coordinated and communicated in advance to providers, residents and home and community care clients ahead of delivery,” he said.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) which advises Greg Hunt, Minister for Health, on the COVID-19 immunisation program, has not yet recommended a fourth dose, or second booster, of coronavirus vaccine. A fourth dose for significantly immunocompromised people, such as those with certain cancers, was approved by ATAGI in early January.
There were 202,638 estimated active cases of COVID in Australia on Monday, with 1,940 people with COVID in hospital and 131 in intensive care and 37 on a ventilator. A further 27 people died with COVID on Monday.
