BOOSTER vaccines are underway for immunocompromised people in the Swan Hill and Gannawarra regions.
Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt has said from mid-October the vaccine would be on offer to people who were severely immunocompromised, to boost their protection against COVID-19 to the highest level.
Swan Hill District Health executive director of medical services Rex Prabhu said immunocompromised people included those who are being actively treated for cancer or organ failure, or being treated with a range of immunosuppressive or biologic therapies.
“There have already been some enquires and bookings for the third dose for patients that fit the criteria,” Mr Prabhu said.
“We have already started providing the booster as per ATAGI (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) recommendations.”
Mr Prabhu said only patients who do not fit the criteria to get the vaccine, as per the conditions listed by the Department of Health, needed to be assessed by their treating physician.
“An individual with an unlisted condition should only be considered for a third dose where the treating physician has assessed the patient as having a similar level of being severely immunocompromised to the listed conditions,” Mr Prabhu said.
“And, where the benefits of a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine outweighs the risks.”
Ochre Medical Centre Cohuna and Barham practice manager Leanne Dickinson also said immunocompromised people required a referral from their general practitioner before requesting a booster shot.
“You can’t just call the receptionist (at Ochre Medial Centre), because its not up to them,” Ms Dickinson said.
“If it’s a patient from Kerang or Cohuna they have to bring a letter from their GP.”
The Australian Government’s Department of Health said an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) was preferred to Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) for the third dose.
Those who received AstraZeneca for their first two doses can get AstraZeneca for their third if there was no harm or precautions to the patient.
Or, if a significant adverse reaction has occurred after a previous mRNA vaccine dose that contradicts further doses of a mRNA vaccine, such as anaphylaxis or myocarditis.
Australians who are mildly to moderately immunocompromised are not currently being recommended by ATAGI to have a third dose at this stage, and the criteria for the booster vaccine can be found at health.gov.au/.
