ASID supports recent ATAGI recommendations

The Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) supports the updated recommendations issued by The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on 1 September.

ATAGI recommends that all adults aged 75 years and over should receive an additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose if 6 months have passed since their last dose, especially those residing in a residential aged care facility.

ATAGI also advises that the following groups should consider an additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose if 6 months have passed since their last dose, after discussion with their healthcare provider:  

• all adults aged 65–74 years; and/or  

• adults aged 18–64 years with severe immunocompromise. 

ATAGI continues to encourage all adults who were recommended to have a COVID-19 vaccine dose in February 2023, and who have not yet had one, to receive a vaccine dose as soon as possible.

See:  https://www.health.gov.au/news/atagi-update-on-the-covid-19-vaccination-program

ASID also reminds Australians about the National Shingles Vaccination Program. From 1 November 2023 Shingrix® vaccine, a non-live zoster vaccine, will replace Zostavax®.  Shingrix® will be available free to non - Indigenous individuals aged 70 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals aged ≥ 50 years and immunocompromised individuals aged ≥ 18 years with conditions at high risk of herpes zoster infection.  Shingles is a painful blistering rash caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox –  with research suggesting one in three Australians may develop shingles in their lifetime.

See: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/shingles-herpes-zoster-immunisation-service

This statement was developed by ASID’s Advocacy and Policy Committee with input from the Vaccination Special Interest Group.

Media Contact: Alison Sweeney alison@asid.com.au.