COVID-19: Australia’s definition of fully-vaccinated has changed

Australia’s definition of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is set to change.

Australians will be considered up to date with their vaccinations if they’ve had their booster shot, and overdue if they haven’t received it within six months of their second shot.

The National Cabinet has accepted the change on advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

The new advice will not apply to international arrivals.

National Cabinet has agreed it will not mandate booster shots nationally, except for aged care workers.

States and territories may decide to implement their own booster mandates.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews had previously been adamant that international tourists would need a booster shot when coming into the state of ATAGI changed its advice on the definition of fully vaccinated.

But now the Premier has backed down, saying there could be different rules for short-term travellers.

Asked on Thursday whether he may impose a three-dose requirement on Victorians, but not on international tourists, Mr Andrews said “Yes, in some circumstances, people who are here short term, for example”.

“So it might not be perfect, but we’ll try and make it as close to one set of rules as we can,” he said.

Professor Robert Booy from the University of Sydney’s Institute of Infectious Diseases says the booster “sells itself”.

“There’s no doubt that if you have a third dose you have much stronger protection, you’re so much less likely to need to be hospitalised or die,” he told Ross and Russel.

“There’s US data that shows you’re 100 times less likely to be hospitalised or die if you’ve had the triple dose.”

Press PLAY below for Professor Booy’s view on the booster