A NEW vaccine to target the current COVID-19 Omicron variant of the virus is available now.

The category of vaccines known as XBB 1.5 was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in October and can be used as a primary vaccination dosage as well as booster dosages.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president Professor Trent Twomey said the new vaccine would be better targeted at the virus now circulating among the population.

“With COVID-19 cases on the rise, it is important that anyone who is due for their vaccination does so as soon as they can at their local community pharmacy,” Prof Twomey said.

“Health authorities have recommended that vaccines move away from formulations which target the original or ancestral strain.”

Prof Twomey said that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation was not recommending people who are not due for their vaccination to get an additional booster because of the arrival of the new vaccine.

“The advice remains that you must wait six months from your last jab to get your next booster shot and older vaccinations still provide protection against the severest of symptoms,” he said.

The vaccines available are being manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna.

Pfizer has two formulations, one for patients aged between 5 and 11, and one for patients aged 12 and over. The Moderna vaccine is for patients aged 12 and over.

Prof Twomey said Australia’s community pharmacies delivered during the pandemic and continued to deliver for patients.

"We’ve administered more than 11 million vaccinations since the pandemic, so my advice is if you need a vaccination, think pharmacy first,” he said.

To find the nearest vaccination pharmacy, go to www.findapharmacy.com.au