Australia is in line to be one of the first countries in the world to get the Omicron booster jab. 

Moderna has developed a new vaccine targeting the Wuhan and Omicron strains of Covid-19, which is expected to be available in weeks if approved by Australia’s top medical regulatory body. 

The jab – which lab tests have shown to provide strong immunity – is currently being assessed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. 

‘If approved, the company will be able to supply this new Omicron-containing bivalent booster vaccine within weeks- putting Australia among the first countries in the world to have access to this new Covid vaccine,’ Moderna’s managing director in Australia Michael Azrak told News Corp.

Aussies are set to become one of the first in the world to get access to the Omicron booster. Pictured: A woman receives a Covid vaccine in Canberra in August

Aussies are set to become one of the first in the world to get access to the Omicron booster. Pictured: A woman receives a Covid vaccine in Canberra in August

Aussies are set to become one of the first in the world to get access to the Omicron booster. Pictured: A woman receives a Covid vaccine in Canberra in August 

Health Minister Mark Butler said he wants Australia to be front and centre when it comes to accessing the latest vaccines. 

‘I’ve had encouraging discussions with Moderna and Pfizer about the challenges of the new sub-variants and the positive developments in vaccine technology,’ Mr Butler said.

‘My department is in negotiations about future supply arrangements, including for under 5-year-olds and the variant vaccines.’

Epidemiologists and other experts have been calling for the eligibility for a fourth Covid vaccination to be expanded to the wider population as the nation grapples with rising case numbers. 

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is expected to discuss at a Wednesday meeting whether more people should be eligible for a fourth dose.

A fourth vaccination is currently only available for people over-65 and those considered vulnerable.

New Omicron strains BA. 4 and BA.5 have quickly become the dominant variants sweeping across Australia, however, they appear to be resistant to existing vaccines – which are only designed to protect against the original Wuhan variant.  

Existing Covid vaccines have begun to bank up across Australia, with more than 16 million unused doses sitting in warehouses and doctors clinics.

It comes as authorities warn the country’s most populous state is heading for a resurgence of Covid cases driven by Omicron subvariants, as the NSW health minister labels anyone who hasn’t received three vaccine doses as ‘crazy’.

Moderna’s managing director in Australia Michael Azrak (pictured) said the vaccine will be available 'in weeks' if approved

Moderna’s managing director in Australia Michael Azrak (pictured) said the vaccine will be available 'in weeks' if approved

Moderna’s managing director in Australia Michael Azrak (pictured) said the vaccine will be available ‘in weeks’ if approved

Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant expects the state’s third wave to peak in late July and early August at levels similar to January, when the virus was raging.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard is urging people to get their vaccine booster shot as statistics show deaths are disproportionately among those who aren’t triple-vaccinated.

‘If you’ve had two (doses), for example, or one and you haven’t had your full three – to put it bluntly, you’re crazy,’ Mr Hazzard told reporters on Tuesday.

‘That is what’s going to make a difference to stopping, or at least reducing the chances of you ending up in hospital or possibly dying.’

NSW has recorded 1232 Covid related deaths this year, with 56 per cent occurring among people who hadn’t received three vaccine doses.

Some people missed their third jab because they were busy or thought the pandemic was over, Mr Hazzard said.

‘On both of those counts, they’re wrong,’ he said.

Covid cases have been soaring across Australia as highly contagious Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 become the country's dominant strains

Covid cases have been soaring across Australia as highly contagious Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 become the country's dominant strains

Covid cases have been soaring across Australia as highly contagious Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 become the country’s dominant strains

The surge in cases is being driven by two immunity-evading Omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, and health experts believe the number of cases and deaths will continue to grow.

Mr Hazzard said the availability of antiviral treatments was limited to the elderly and people with co-morbidities but work was being done to expand the criteria.

‘(Antivirals) definitely make a difference for the majority of people who actually get the Covid virus,’ he said.

Dr Chant said receiving two vaccine doses no longer meant a person should be considered fully vaccinated against Covid.

NATIONAL COVID CASES REPORTED ON TUESDAY

NSW: 10,504 cases, 14 deaths, 1782 in hospital with 58 in ICU

Tasmania: 1588 cases, two deaths, 76 in hospital with two in ICU

Victoria: 8740 cases, 16 deaths, 543 in hospital with 28 in ICU

ACT: 1199 cases, one death, 136 in hospital with two in ICU

NT: 342 cases, no deaths, 21 in hospital with none in ICU

WA: 5234 cases, one death, 238 in hospital with nine in ICU

SA: 3141 cases, one death, 234 in hospital with 10 in ICU

QLD: 5698 cases, 11 deaths, 710 in hospital with 14 in ICU

Source: AAP 

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‘The virus has changed … we need three or in some cases four doses to provide the best protection against getting very sick,’ she said.

Dr Chant said she was concerned because the coronavirus wave was taking place while the community also dealt with surges of the flu and other respiratory viruses.

She called on people to keep up to date with their vaccinations, wear masks indoors and stay at home if they had cold or flu symptoms.

Some 68.1 per cent of the eligible population has had three or more vaccine doses.

AMA NSW president Michael Bonning said hospitals were already experiencing high levels of demand from COVID-19, flu and other respiratory illnesses.

He also urged NSW residents to wear masks indoors as a simple way to curb the spread of viruses.

‘If we want to preserve the business as usual this time around, we need to continue following orders and respecting the health and wellbeing of others,’ Dr Bonning said.

‘Mask-wearing isn’t just about protecting yourself but protecting others from your own respiratory droplets.’

NSW recorded 10,504 Covid cases and 14 deaths in the latest 24-hour reporting period.

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