Following the COVID 19 Sub-Variant BA.2 now dominant in NSW and with experts attributing its high-transmissibility to the escalating outbreak, NSW is set to look at the Health recommendation for a fourth dose.
(Minister Brad Hazzard File Photo)
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said BA.2 was more infectious than the BA.1 strain that infected thousands in December and January. He said this indicated cases could “more than double” within six weeks.
A COVID-19 subvariant — dubbed BA.2 or “the son of Omicron” — has concerned NSW health authorities this week who believe it has contributed to rising cases in NSW.
Since the first cases of the subvariant were confirmed in the state at the end of January, numbers steadily rose and peaked at 16,288 new daily cases of COVID-19 on March 11.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is expected to green light a fourth dose for anyone aged over 65, in aged and disability care or severely immune compromised.
The fourth dose will not yet be required to be considered for fully vaccinated but Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said earlier this month Australia’s vaccine advisory group would likely recommend it by the end of March for vulnerable groups.
Severely immunocompromised people aged over 16 were already eligible for a fourth dose, but the next phase of the rollout is expected to begin before winter.
The period between third and fourth jabs is yet to be confirmed, but it is likely to be about four or five months.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was very keen to scrap the seven-day isolation mandatory period for household contacts two weeks ago when he called isolation “redundant” and asked for urgent medical advice on the subject.
“We all know what it’s like with kids and flus … you know, they bring it home, and then the whole family has to stay home and can’t go to work. So that rule is becoming, we believe as leaders, redundant,” he said.
However, experts have warned this wouldn’t be the smartest move since the highly contagious the BA.2 subvariant BA 2 subvariant had led to a spike in infections.
NSW and Victorian health officials have urged the PM to delay any changes to rules to help stop the rise in case numbers.
The figures of cases released today showed steady range of cases in the week.
For more updates, check out the NSW Health website.website