More and more research is showing that a booster shot is needed to maintain protection against COVID-19, and so Australia’s official immunisation experts have recommended we move away from using the term ‘fully vaccinated’ for 2 doses. In a recommendation from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation that was accepted yesterday by National Cabinet, people aged over 16 years will be considered to be ‘up to date’ with their COVID shots if they have had their booster shot in the 3-6 months from the second dose of their primary course. You’ll be considered ‘ overdue’ if you haven’t had a booster after 6 months. It will be up to the states and territories to determine whether they will introduce mandates to make ‘overdue’ people get up to date, but what was agreed yesterday was booster shots would not be mandated nationally, except for aged care workers. ATAGI chairman Nigel Crawford said the language change brings COVID vaccinations into line with other programs where booster shots are needed.