THE SQUIZ
PM Anthony Albanese reckons “it’s a question of when” a 4th COVID jab will be made available to Aussies under 65yo, not if. The PM was asked about the red flags raised this week by officials and experts as infections rise thanks to the new BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants. He confirmed that the question of a 4th dose for the general population was on the immunisation experts’ agenda for their meeting yesterday. Currently, the extra jab is available to +65yos, Indigenous Aussies, and people with certain chronic health conditions/the immunocompromised.

WHERE ARE THINGS AT WITH COVID?
Yesterday, 43,596 new cases were reported – the highest number for a month and a half. The experts say that getting vaxxed will likely prevent hospitalisation and death from COVID, but it won’t stop transmission and symptoms – and that’s what’s driving the new wave of cases. This week, NSW’s Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant urged people to mask up in enclosed spaces while the state’s Health Minister Brad Hazzard encouraged people to get their 3rd COVID shot ASAP and called for a 4th dose to be made available to the general population. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews wants 4th doses for health workers. Earlier this week, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said it’s up to the experts, but he would be surprised if eligibility for a 4th dose was expanded to the whole population. That has put the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s (ATAGI) deliberations about opening up eligibility for a 4th dose in the spotlight.

WOULD A 4TH DOSE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
That’s a good question and not an easy one to answer. If you’re asking if it could help keep you out of hospital (or worse…) if you get COVID – the answer seems to be that a 4th dose won’t hurt. This week, Dr Chant said it’s been 6 months since her 3rd jab, and she “wouldn’t mind a bit of a top-up” in protection. But if you’re asking if a 4th done would help stop you from getting or spreading COVID, the answer is that’s probably a job for vaccines made for the Omicron variant. On that note, the Therapeutic Goods Authority yesterday granted ‘provisional determination’ to Pfizer for 2 vaccines that do just that. It’s early in the approval process, and the new formulation is unlikely to be available this year – but it’s a factor ATAGI will consider when pondering a 4th dose for everyone. In the meantime, officials have some work to do to get more Aussies to have their 3rd shot and initial shots. About 80% of the eligible population have had 2 doses, and 67.5% have had 3.