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Australia has moved into phase B of the COVID-19 recovery plan after the country reached the 70 per cent double vaccinated milestone.

The federal government has also started planning the booster shot program, starting with aged care residents in November. The medical regulator is yet to approve Pfizer as a booster but is expected to make a decision soon.

Health Minister Greg Hunt expects a booster shot program will begin before the end of the year.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Health Minister Greg Hunt said just over 70 per cent of the eligible population aged 16 and up have been fully vaccinated, and more than 33 million vaccines have been administered across the country.

“This is a testament to the work of Australians and it is a testament to our health professionals and everybody that has been involved in the vaccination program,” Mr Hunt said.

“There are many people still to come forward for first doses and there are many people still to come back for their second doses, and that second dose program is providing real and significant protection.”

Mr Hunt also shed more light on plans for booster vaccination shots, saying there was a “critical meeting” planned with Pfizer for Monday. The progress depends on advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, but Mr Hunt said the regulator was in “advanced consideration” of boosters.

Pfizer is the only vaccine currently in consideration for the booster program. Moderna and AstraZeneca have not submitted applications to the regulator at this stage.

The Health Minister said the booster program would likely be done in two stages: a first rollout for aged care residents, starting in the second week of November, and then a program for the general population beginning some time before the end of the year.

“Would I like to see it commenced this year and do I expect it to commence this year? Yes and yes, Mr Hunt said.

“We’re ready, we’re in a position to commence, and to make sure that additional protection is provided.”

Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly said ATAGI was due to provide advice to the government on the booster program “very soon”, but said it was up to ATAGI to decide when the program was needed and how long people should wait between their second dose and their booster.

Professor Kelly said the government was looking at data from other countries that have commenced booster programs, particularly Israel where it was proving effective for all age groups.

“We were able to look at the data that has come out from Israel yesterday and it very much confirms that this is safe, that it is effective in all age groups, for both decreasing infection as well as severe disease, and for the older age groups, prevention of death,” he said.

“We have enough supply to give it to all age groups, but we’ll wait for the ATAGI advice on that.”

Mr Hunt said moving into phase B of the national recovery plan means there will be fewer lockdowns, eased restrictions on vaccinated residents and preparing a booster program – things that were already being done in different jurisdictions.

Professor Kelly said moving into phase B, “allows us to really consider what else we can be doing and, to get back to some sort of COVID-normal here in Australia and the way we live”.

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