As demand for booster COVID-19 vaccinations soars across Australia, you might have a few questions about the much-anticipated third dose.
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It comes as states and territories identified record-breaking case numbers on Wednesday in the lead up to the holiday period.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison hosted state and territory leaders for an emergency national cabinet meeting on Wednesday for an update on the Omicron variant.
National cabinet discussed whether people will soon need three jabs to be considered fully vaccinated and the possibility of bringing the booster interval further forward, after mask-wearing was reintroduced in the capital on Tuesday.
More than 1 million people nationwide have already received their COVID-19 booster shot, with take up growing as Omicron cases increase.
ACM spoke to ANU medical school professor of infectious diseases Peter Collignon to get the lowdown on booster shots.
Why should I get a booster shot?
So, you've rolled your sleeves up twice and have been double-vaccinated. Why do it a third time?
Professor Collignon said a third vaccination offered better protection against COVID-19.
"You get better protection, particularly [if it's been] more than six months since your second shot, because your protection lasts for six months, but then seems to start to wane a bit," Professor Collignon said.
When you get the third dose at around six months, you get very good protection that lasts for decades.
- Professor of infectious diseases Peter Collignon
"So another similar vaccine that we give three doses for is hepatitis B. What happens is you get very good protection after two doses. But when you get the third dose at around six months, you get very good protection that lasts for decades.
"You want to space that third shot a reasonable time after your second shot, because that gives you better antibody levels that lasts longer."
When can I get a booster shot? Do I need to wait five months?
The recommended timeframe has been brought forward to five months from your second COVID-19 vaccination. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation shortened the initial six-month waiting period earlier this month.
"Don't rush your third shot, follow the current advice, which is five months after your second shot because that's more likely to give you a sustained longer protection than if you have it too early," he said.
"People should be reassured that two doses gives you very good protection out to six months, at least 90 per cent protection for up to six months after your second dose, and stopping you getting hospitalised and dying.
"So if you've had two shots, you've got very good protection [for six months], even against Omicron."
Does it matter which brand I get?
No, it doesn't. Professor Collignon said in Australia the two options for booster shots were Moderna or Pfizer.
"Both of them are what we call messenger RNA vaccines, so essentially, they work the same way," he said.
"So my own view is it doesn't matter. And it doesn't matter if you had AstraZeneca first, because there's a lot of data now that if you have a booster with Moderna or Pfizer, you get very good antibody responses. The short answer is, I don't think it matters."
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Where can I get a booster shot?
You can get a booster dose at a participating GP, a participating pharmacy or a government COVID-19 vaccination clinic. To find your nearest vaccination clinic visit covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking.
Most government-run vaccination clinics require a booking. These clinics offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine only.
To book call the ACT COVID-19 vaccination booking line on 02 5124 7700, 7am to 7pm, daily or book online using MyDHR.
If you had your second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at an ACT government clinic, you will be contacted by ACT Health when you become eligible to book in for your booster dose.
ACT Health operates pop-up vaccination clinics available for walk-ins. The location of these clinics changes daily, with information available at covid19.act.gov.au/home.
Will I have to get another booster shot later on?
Only time will tell. Professor Collignon said the short answer was "we don't know".
"Originally, we thought two shots might be enough. But then there was some evidence about waning immunity after six months," he said.
"We're just going to have to watch and see. At the moment, let's be optimistic and say, well, maybe this will behave like the hepatitis B vaccine, and three doses will be enough. But we really can't answer that question because we haven't been going long enough. What we'll have to do is follow the people that had boosters, the third shot, and see what happens to them over 12 months and really do good studies."
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