New jab definition, mask mandate on cards

SPEEDING up booster shots, requiring people to get three COVID-19 jabs to be considered fully vaccinated and mask mandates are on the cards in a bid to curb Omicron infections.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will on Wednesday meet with state and territory leaders to discuss rising COVID-19 cases following the easing of pandemic restrictions and opening of borders.

Up for discussion is whether to mandate masks across indoor settings and the time frame of booster shots.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is reportedly looking at whether to require people to receive a booster shot before they’re considered fully vaccinated.

States including NSW are pushing for the interval between second and third shots to be cut further from five months.

University of Melbourne epidemiologist Nancy Baxter backs reducing the interval at least to four months.

“More people getting it (the virus) means more people are going to transmit it and more people are going to have that risk of developing serious illness even if they’ve been vaccinated,” she told ABC radio on Tuesday.

“We know that boosters help get around that.”

Deputy Nationals leader David Littleproud reassured people Australia had enough boosters despite concerns pharmacies were struggling to secure sufficient supplies to match demand.

“Over the coming weeks we will get a better picture (about Omicron), then the premiers will be able to make decisions on mandates around masks,” he told the Nine Network.

Mr Morrison earlier said the government would follow the health advice when it came to masks. Different parts of the country have different rules.

There’s also a push to make rapid antigen tests free amid lengthy delays at traditional testing sites as cases increases and people rush to obtain negative results required for interstate travel.

“We need a certain nimbleness that we haven’t had to date in terms of thinking about how we do alter the testing procedures,” Professor Baxter said.

She favoured incorporating rapid antigen tests into Australia’s existing nose and throat swab screening regime at state-run clinics.

NSW recorded 2501 new cases on Monday and Victoria 1302 infections.