Australia approves Omicron-specific COVID-19 booster vaccine

CANBERRA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australian authorities have approved Pfizer's bivalent coronavirus vaccine.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on Tuesday announced that it has approved the vaccine, which provides protection against the original and Omicron BA.1 strain of SARS-CoV-2, for use as a booster.

The approval comes days after Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Paul Kelly declared that Australia is in the midst of a new wave of COVID-19 infections.

Mark Butler, the Minister for Health, said on Tuesday that the new vaccine will be available for those above 18 from Dec. 12, describing it as a new tool to combat rising case numbers.

"The Australian government has added this next-generation Pfizer vaccine to our armor against COVID-19," he told reporters.

"This is a reminder to all Australians to make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations. Now is the time to get your booster."

According to the SBS, Australian COVID-19 cases increased 47 percent in the past week, prompting Kelly to warn people at risk of severe illness to consider wearing face masks.

Despite the spike, ATAGI has not approved the fifth vaccine dose for the general population.

Currently, only people who are considered severely immunocompromised are eligible to receive five doses.

"ATAGI has considered international evidence as well as the local data around the vaccination numbers as well as case numbers in the pandemic and decided not to recommend a fifth dose or a third booster, if you like, at this point in time," Butler said.

"They have said they anticipate new booster recommendations being made in early 2023 in preparation for the southern hemisphere winter."