The Department of Health is encouraging people to make sure their COVID-19 vaccinations are up to date in the lead up to the festive season.
The advice comes as surveillance data – from wastewater, and the number of reported cases and hospitalisations – indicates increasing community transmission of COVID-19 since mid-October.
A new COVID-19 booster vaccine was released on 9 December 2024 and is now available to Western Australians.
Director Communicable Diseases Dr Paul Armstrong said the new Pfizer JN.1 vaccine had been designed to target a different subvariant to previous vaccines.
“COVID-19 has changed a lot over the past year within Australia and throughout the world,” he said.
“The new vaccine is expected to provide increased protection against the Omicron subvariants which are now circulating in WA.”
Dr Armstrong said some people were at greater risk of severe illness from the virus.
“COVID-19 can cause life-threatening complications, particularly among older adults and people with underlying medical conditions,” he said.
“With Christmas just around the corner, people may be out socialising with family and friends so there is the potential for infection to spread more easily compared to other times of the year.”
“The best way to protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19 is to stay home if you are unwell, cover coughs and sneezes, wash or sanitise your hands often, consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor or high-risk settings, and get a booster vaccination.”
The booster vaccination is recommended for all adults aged 75 years and older who have completed a primary course of COVID-19 vaccinations, and last had a COVID-19 vaccine more than six months ago.
Adults aged 65 to 74 years and/or adults who are severely immunocompromised are recommended a booster vaccine every 12 months but can consider a dose every six months based on their individual health needs.
Adults aged 18-64 years without severe immunocompromise, and children aged five to 17 years with severe immunocompromise, are eligible for a dose every 12 months.
Vaccinations are available at GPs, select pharmacies and other medical service providers.
Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms is urged to stay home and monitor their symptoms.
For more information, visit HealthyWA: COVID-19 vaccine (healthywa.wa.gov.au)
Check out the COVID-booster eligibility checker on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website
ENDS
WA Health Media
T: (08) 9222 4333
E: media@health.wa.gov.au