From Monday, an additional 7.4 million people around the country will be eligible for a fourth COVID-19 dose. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The ACT has recorded 1292 (856 PCR and 436 RAT) new COVID-19 infections in the latest reporting period to 8 pm last night as the nation’s vaccine advisory body expands eligibility for fourth doses.
From Monday (11 July), people 30 years and older will be eligible to get the additional dose although the Australian Technical Advisory Group (ATAGI) has only specifically recommended the additional shot for people aged 50 to 64.
It would not recommend the additional dose for healthy adults under the age of 30 years as it “was not clear whether the benefits outweighed the risks in this population group”.
ATAGI has also recommended the interval between vaccine doses be reduced from four to three months.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said today the change in advice would mean an additional 7.4 million people are now eligible for a fourth dose.
Mr Butler said 60 per cent of people over 65 have now received their fourth dose and anyone who has not yet done so is encouraged to do so.
Locally, there are now 135 patients in Canberra Hospital with the virus. Of these, six are in the ICU and two require ventilation.
There are now 7734 (3989 PCR and 3385 RAT) known active infections in the Territory.
A total of 166,133 (99,261 PCR and 66,872 RAT) COVID-19 cases have been recorded since the pandemic began in March 2020.
Yesterday, there were 135 people in hospital and the Territory recorded 1477 new infections, the highest number since the peak of the Omicron wave.
The double-dose vaccination rate for the ACT’s five-plus population remains 97.4 per cent and 77.4 per cent of residents aged 16 and older have received a booster.
Of ACT residents aged five to 11, 69.1 per cent have received two doses of vaccine.
Interstate, NSW has reported 22 deaths overnight and 13,343 new cases of COVID-19.
There are now 1882 people in hospital with the virus and 62 people in ICUs around the state.
Victoria has reported 12 deaths overnight and 10,265 cases of COVID-19.
There are now 592 people hospitalised with the virus and 30 patients are in the state’s intensive care units.
More to come.
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