Hunter New England Health has announced that COVID-19 vaccine clinics will offer a booster dose to all individuals aged 18 and over.
People who are eligible for the booster shot must wait six months from receiving their second dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
Public health physician at Hunter New England Health Dr David Durrheim said the booster shot would help people maintain a high level of protection against the COVID-19 virus.
“I’m encouraging everyone to make sure you also get a booster when your six months have expired from the time of your second dose,” Dr Durrheim said.
“We have seen amazing data from Israel and the United States, which confirms that over six months the protection offered by the COVID-19 vaccines slowly wanes.
“We don’t want that with the Delta strain; we want to be 100 per cent protected or as close to it as possible.
“What we have seen from Israel, which is really encouraging, is that people who’ve had their third dose are about 11 fold less likely to get symptomatic COVID than those who have only had two doses.”
Regardless of the COVID-19 vaccine administered initially, the Pfizer vaccine will be offered as the booster dose.
Chief medical officer Paul Kelly clarified that people who had received two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine were still considered fully vaccinated, and the booster dose was important for strengthening protection.
“It’s important for those who are at that six-month mark (after receiving both doses) to consider their booster,” he said.
“It definitely gives extra protection against severe disease, particularly for older Australians and those who are in that vulnerable group.
“Those vulnerable people should come forward, healthcare workers should come forward, or anyone who has hit that six-month mark can come forward and get a boost.”
The booster shots will be available through the NSW Health vaccination clinic network, including all hubs, and some eligible people can receive their booster dose from their GP or participating pharmacies.
Booster vaccinations can be booked through the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.
Hayley McMahon
Read our latest article featuring Hunter New England Health’s COVID-19 medical controller Dr Paul Craven and his thoughts on COVID-19 and the community’s response.
For all the latest updates, information and numbers on the COVID-19 pandemic, visit our COVID-19 Daily Updates page.