More people eligible for fourth vaccine

Another seven and a half million Australians can get a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine with everyone over the age of 30 now eligible. There are now almost 300,000 active virus cases across the country... with close to 4,000 hospitalised... and more than a 140 in intensive care.

The Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler provides a COVID-19 vaccine update Adelaide, Thursday, July 7, 2022. Source: AAP Image/Morgan Sette

More than 95 per cent of Australians over 16 have currently had two doses of a vaccine. But only 70 per cent have had their third dose, despite them being widely available since the start of the year.  As for fourth doses - up until now, only over 65s were eligible – and of that group, just over 60 per cent have had one.  The fourth dose is now available for everyone over 30, but it's only listed as specifically 'recommended' for people over 50.