Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has indicated that a change in national vaccination policy is imminent and that a third dose of a coronavirus vaccine may be required in the future to be considered fully vaccinated.
State and territory leaders and health experts have already stressed the importance of eligible adults receiving a booster dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has indicated a third coronavirus dose will soon become mandatory. Credit:AAP
Today, NSW and Victoria have announced that the interval between a second and a booster dose will be reduced from four months to three months in the coming days, which is earlier than the federal government’s planned date of January 31.
Mr Andrews said that his government had “mandated a number of people, many people across many different sectors, [receive] a first and second doseâ€.
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“I think you’ll see very soon, out of national processes, you’ll see the terminology and the recognition of the third dose be crystal clear.
“This is not an option, not an add-on, not a ‘good thing to have’. I think we’re close to a change in policy that will simply reflect the fact that in order to be fully protected, you need three doses, not two doses plus an optional extra.â€
Almost half of Victorians aged 70 and over have received a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine, Victoria Health secretary Naomi Bromley said during this morning’s press conference.
About 37 per cent of people aged in their 60s and 33 per cent of those aged in their 40s and 50s have received their booster dose.
More than 100,000 5-to 11-year-olds have now received the first dose of the vaccine to date.
with Marta Pascual Juanola