Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Health
Our number one priority since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic has been to keep Tasmanians safe and secure.
Vaccination remains the best safeguard we have against COVID-19, and with 94.8 per cent of Tasmanians aged 12 and over now fully vaccinated, we should be proud that we consistently record some of the highest vaccination rates in the country.
Today, the TGA has approved the Pfizer COVID-19 booster dose for young people aged 16-17 years old. This is the first of a two-step process with further advice to be provided by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) in the coming days.
Following advice from ATAGI, boosters for this age ground are expected to begin in early February, with a sufficient supply of the vaccine to meet this additional demand.
Of the 105,600 eligible Tasmanians who are due for their booster, more than 36 per cent have now pulled up their sleeve to receive their third dose – significantly decreasing their risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID.
Tasmanians aged 18 and over will also be able to get their booster shot three months from the date of their second dose of vaccine, from Tuesday, February 1 following advice from ATAGI, meaning that approximately 68,500 more Tasmanians will be able to increase their immunity against COVID in the coming days.
Thousands of booster appointments are currently available in state-run vaccination centres across Tasmania including at ongoing clinics in Burnie, Devonport, Hobart, and Launceston. Bookings are also available at pharmacies and GPs.
Our high vaccination rates are providing protection as we transition to living with COVID, and I thank Tasmanians who are continuing to work together to overcome this pandemic.
