The Albanese Government has secured an additional 3 million doses of the latest Moderna Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine to ensure an adequate portfolio of vaccines.
This latest Moderna vaccine, the Spikevax Bivalent Original/Omicron BA.4-5 formulation has been granted provisional approval from the TGA and is expected to be available in Australia from April.
The Government has accepted advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (Spikevax Bivalent BA.4/5) to be made available for eligible people aged 12 years and older as a COVID-19 booster dose according to the ATAGI 2023 booster advice.
These doses will continue to ensure a portfolio of vaccines is available for people in Australia, consistent with recommendations made by Professor Jane Halton AO in her review of Australia's procurement arrangements for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
The Government has carefully considered Professor Halton's independent review and has accepted seven recommendations in full, while the remaining recommendation relating to the National Medical Stockpile has been partially accepted.
Professor Halton's recommendations included the need for public health campaigns around vaccine uptake, an updated COVID-19 policy framework, the streamlining of advisory structures, a review of vaccine distribution arrangements, and the need to ensure adequate supplies of therapeutics and vaccines across 2023 and 2024.
