THE new COVID-19 vaccine to target the current Omicron variant of the virus will be available in community pharmacies throughout Australia from today.
The category of vaccines known as XBB 1.5 was approved by the TGA in Oct (PD 13 Oct) and can be used as a primary vaccination dosage as well as booster dosages.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Trent Twomey said the new vaccine will be more targeted at the virus which is currently circulating among the general population.
"With COVID-19 cases on the rise in the country, it is important that anyone who is due for their vaccination must do so as soon as they can at their local community pharmacy," Twomey added.
"Health authorities have recommended that vaccines move away from formulations which target the original or ancestral strain," he explained.
Twomey commented that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is not recommending those who are not due for their vaccination to get an additional booster because of the arrival of the new vaccine.
"The advice remains that you must wait six months from your last jab to get your next booster shot and older vaccinations still provide protection against the severest of symptoms," he said.
The vaccines available are being manufactured by pharma companies Pfizer and Moderna.
Pfizer has two formulations one for patients over the age of five and less than 12, and one for patients over the age of 12.
The Moderna vaccine is for patients over the age of 12 years.
Twomey pointed out that community pharmacies delivered during the pandemic and continue to deliver for patients today.
"We've administered more than 11 million vaccinations since the pandemic, so my advice is if you need a vaccination, think pharmacy first," he said. JG
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