A fourth dosage of the Covid vaccination may soon be available to all Australians, but top scientists warn that this may not be enough to prevent infection from additional transmissible subvariants.
The vaccine advisory group ATAGI will meet on Wednesday to discuss providing a fourth vaccination to all Australians, which is presently only offered to those over 65 and those with certain medical conditions.
In order to fend off the winter Covid wave, Sydney GP Kerryn Phelps has asked for the reinstatement of mask requirements and two-week isolation intervals.
The two subvariants of the Omicron strain known as BA.4 and BA.5, which are becoming prevalent in Australia, are resistant to the two currently available vaccinations.
The strains, which were discovered in South Africa at the beginning of this year, are more contagious than the initial Omicron strain, although they haven’t resulted in any more fatalities or serious illnesses.
Adrian Esterman, a professor of epidemiology at the University of South Australia, wrote in The Conversation on Monday that the effectiveness of current vaccines to prevent infection is “unlikely.”
Although current vaccinations based on the Wuhan strain will still offer some protection against serious illness and mortality from BA.4/5, he added, “they are unlikely to offer much, if any, protection against infection or symptomatic disease.”
The second-generation vaccination being tested by Moderna, according to Professor Esterman, would be far more effective against the most recent subvariants.
Just last month, Mark Butler, the minister of health, stated that there was no proof that a fourth dose of currently available vaccines would be beneficial.
On June 23, he told reporters in Canberra, “The benefits of the vaccination for younger people do not merit the judgment that they have access to a fourth dosage.”
There is widespread agreement that there is now no evidence to support the need for the fourth dose, especially in younger individuals without impaired immunity.
Daniel Andrews, the premier of Victoria, stated to reporters that he supported fourth dosages for medical personnel, saying: “For health professionals I think there is a strong argument, at least that’s what I’ve been told from people who are on the wards in the hospitals.”
As Covid hospitalizations reached their highest levels since February, Queensland explored “urging” people to wear masks, while the ACT hasn’t ruled out a dreaded mask mandate.
Dr. Phelps, a Sydney physician and former Wentworth MP, stated that simply promoting mask use was insufficient.
She told 2GB, “This is about safeguarding other people and having a sense of community.”
Strongly recommending people isn’t working, thus the mandate is being reviewed.
Following the end of lockdowns and the removal of most vaccination mandates, vaccine rollout data reveals that Australians are less inclined to have their third and fourth vaccinations.
More over 95% of people have received at least one dose, while just 70.5% of Australians have had a third shot.
The percentage is significantly lower for fourth vaccinations, which only 58.7% of Australians over 65 have received.
As people spend more time home together amid cold and wet weather, experts are predicting a winter wave.
As of Monday, 26 Covid-related deaths had been reported, with the overall death toll in the country having surpassed 10,000 earlier this month.
The number of hospital admissions has also risen to 3,511 nationwide, the largest number since February during the height of the Omicron wave.
On Monday alone, about 30,000 infections were registered nationally; specialists fear that as winter wears on, the number of cases may rise even higher.
As Covid-19 instances spread across the nation, some governments and territories are debating whether to restore mask requirements.
Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk said discussions about whether mask regulations may return in some circumstances in the Sunshine State were still underway.
We are not imposing a mask requirement, but there have been discussions about encouraging individuals to wear masks in specific circumstances, she said.
“We will inform the public if anything changes,” it says.
A mask mandate, according to ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith, is not completely off the table.
She did, however, say that other possibilities were being thought about.
People who are willing to wear masks are already doing so, according to one theory, therefore mandated mask regulations may not be as successful as they have been in the past.
“All of those things need to be balanced as we continue through this winter season,” the author writes.
“Some of those circumstances where we’re seeing transmission you wouldn’t be needed to wear a mask anyhow.”
Lily D’Ambrosio, the health minister for Victoria, stated on Saturday that she was not thinking of mandating mask use.
The NSW government has not commented on the situation.
Despite the increase in cases, Tuesday will be the last day that the pandemic-related border restrictions will be in effect.
On Wednesday, the Biosecurity Act will change to remove the requirement for foreign visitors to register their vaccination status in order to enter the country.
Dean Long, the chief executive of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, praised the decision and called it a crucial step for the sector.
The removal of these remaining criteria, he added, “would assist minimize airport delays and make it easier for Australians travelling home.”
‘The demand on our airports and airport workers is great with school holidays beginning or about to begin in several states and territories, and a fast increasing number of Australians anxious to escape the Australian winter.’