Booster eligibility period reduced to three months
Although many states had already reduced the interval for booster doses, nationally people aged 18 years and older can now receive their COVID-19 vaccine booster (Pfizer or Moderna) three months after finishing their primary course. This follows recommendations from ATAGI in late December regarding the Omicron variant and the timing of COVID-19 booster vaccinations.
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine provisionally approved for use as a booster for people aged 16–17 years
The TGA has provisionally approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use as a booster in people aged 16–17 years.
ATAGI will soon provide guidance on its use in this cohort, including when this age group will become eligible.
Updated ATAGI advice for vaccination after testing positive to COVID-19
ATAGI has provided updated advice on vaccination after testing positive to COVID-19, including that:
- people who have had COVID-19 can be vaccinated once they recover from the acute illness
- prior infection is not a contraindication to vaccination
- vaccination does not need to be delayed; however, vaccination can be deferred for up to four months
- if a patient tests positive for COVID-19 between their first and second doses or between their second and booster dose, the patient should delay their next dose until they have recovered from the acute illness
- people with prolonged COVID-19 symptoms (beyond four months) can be vaccinated.
ATAGI has updated its expanded guidance on temporary medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines to reflect that people with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection can temporarily defer vaccination up until four months after infection. The time frame for temporary exemptions was previously six months and has been shortened due to the increased risk of re-infection with the Omicron variant.
Recommendations for the use of Paxlovid and Lagevrio in treating COVID-19
The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce has released treatment recommendations for two new oral antivirals for adults with mild COVID-19 following recent provisional approval by the TGA – Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir) and Lagevrio (molnupiravir).
First shipments of these medicines are due to arrive within the coming weeks. Access to the medicines will initially be via the National Medical Stockpile before transitioning to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme arrangements as supply increases.
Read Paxlovid recommendations Read Lagevrio recommendations
The taskforce has updated the flowchart for disease-modifying treatments for adults with COVID-19 accordingly.