Canberra: Australia said on Sunday it would shorten the waiting time of people to receive a Covid-19 booster after the increase in the case of the Omicron variant.
Australia previously said it would offer a booster to everyone over 18 years who had the second dose of the vaccine six months earlier.
But with the increase in the omicron variant case, Health Minister Greg Hunt said time intervals would be shortened to five months after the second dose.
“The dose of booster five months or more after the second dose will ensure that the protection of the main course is even stronger and durable and must help prevent the spread of the virus,” Hunt said in an email statement.
“Data from Israel shows the reinforcement that supports reductions at the infection rate in the elementary age group, severe illness in those over 40 years old and death in those over 60 years old.” Australia will use both vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna in the booster program.
Australia is one of the most vaccinated countries, with around 90% of people more than 16 fully inoculated.
However, Australia on Sunday reported 1,556 cases in the previous 24 hours when the infection lingered near the six-week height was reported the day before.
Australia has recorded around 229,000 Covid-19 infections, far under victims of other countries, and 2,100 deaths.