PROVISIONAL approval has been granted for AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine to be administered as a booster shot to people aged 18 years and older, by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Under the approval, an AZ booster can be given if clinically indicated with reference to the official guidance regarding the use of a heterologous third dose of an mRNA vaccine.
"This means that the decision to receive Vaxzevria as a booster must be made in consultation with a medical professional. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Comirnaty or Spikevax) are preferred as the booster dose in Australia, irrespective of the primary COVID-19 vaccine used," the TGA said.
"This includes for people who received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for their primary course.
"The Australian Government continues to encourage individuals to have a booster (third dose) following their initial two vaccination doses to enable strong protection against severe illness and hospitalisation, particularly from the Omicron variant."
Further information is set to be published in the coming days.
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