In view of a violent new wave of corona, Australia is offering all citizens over the age of 30 a fourth corona vaccination. The fourth vaccination is recommended from age 50, but is available to anyone over 30 if desired, the Australian Ministry of Health said on Thursday. The government is following a recommendation from the National Vaccination Commission. In the current Australian winter, the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron variants are spreading rapidly.
Hospitalizations more than tripled
She said many young people may want a fourth dose of the vaccine, although its benefit for this age group is “uncertain, but likely limited.” The number of hospital admissions with Covid-19 increased by more than 1,000 to 3,900 in a month, 140 people are in intensive care. Health Minister Mark Butler spoke of “real pressure on our healthcare and hospital system”.
In Australia, more than 95% of the population over the age of 16 has been vaccinated against the coronavirus at least twice. People hardly wear protective masks in public anymore, and distancing rules are hardly observed anymore.