In Queensland, the idea of “encouraging” people to wear masks was considered, and the ACT did not completely rule out a dreaded mask mandate as Covid hospitalizations reached their highest levels since February.
Even though a fourth dose of the Covid vaccine may soon be available to all Australians, top experts warn that it might not be enough to prevent infection from additional transmissible subvariants.
On Wednesday, the vaccine advisory group ATAGI will meet to discuss allowing all Australians to receive the fourth vaccination, which is currently only available to those over 65 and those under the age of 18 who have certain medical conditions.
In an effort to halt the winter Covid wave, Sydney general practitioner Kerryn Phelps has called for the return of mask mandates and two-week isolation periods.
The two subvariants of the Omicron strain known as BA.4 and BA.5, which are increasingly prevalent in Australia, can be prevented less effectively by current vaccines.
The strains, which were discovered in South Africa at the beginning of this year, are more contagious than the original Omicron strain, but they haven’t resulted in more fatalities or serious illnesses.
Professor of Epidemiology at the University of South Australia Adrian Esterman stated in a Monday article for The Conversation that the effectiveness of current vaccines to prevent infection is “unlikely.”
‘Although current vaccines based on the Wuhan strain will still provide some protection against serious illness and death against BA.4/5, they are unlikely to provide much, if any, protection against infection or symptomatic disease,’ he said.
The second-generation vaccine from Moderna, which is presently undergoing testing, would be significantly more effective against the most recent subvariants, according to Professor Esterman.
There is no proof that a fourth dose of the current vaccines will actually help, according to remarks made by health minister Mark Butler just last month.
In Canberra, Australia, on June 23, he told reporters, “The benefits of the vaccine for younger people do not warrant the decision that they have access to a fourth dose.”
The fourth dose is not currently supported by any evidence as being especially necessary for younger individuals with uncompromised immunity, according to the general consensus.
According to Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews, there is a strong case for fourth doses for medical professionals.
At least, that is what I have been told by those who are on the hospital wards.
As Covid hospitalizations reached their highest levels since February, Queensland considered ‘urging’ people to wear masks, and the ACT hasn’t ruled out a dreaded mask mandate.
Dr. Phelps, a Sydney general practitioner and former Wentworth MP, said it was insufficient to simply encourage mask use.
She told 2GB, “This is about protecting other people and having a sense of community.”
Strongly recommending people isn’t working, so the mandate is being discussed.
Following the end of lockdowns and the removal of most vaccination mandates, vaccine rollout data reveals that Australians are less inclined to receive their third and fourth vaccinations.
More than 95% of people have received at least one dose, but only 70.5% of Australians have received a third shot.
The percentage is even lower for fourth vaccinations, which only 58.7% of Australians over 65 have received.
As people spend more time indoors together during cold and wet weather, experts are predicting a winter wave.
As of Monday, 26 Covid-related deaths had been reported, with the overall death toll in the country having surpassed 10,000 earlier this month.
The number of hospital admissions has also risen to 3,511 nationwide, the highest number since February during the height of the Omicron wave.
On Monday alone, nearly 30,000 infections were reported nationally; experts warn that as winter wears on, the number of cases will rise even higher.
As Covid-19 cases spread across the nation, some states and territories are debating whether to reintroduce mask requirements.
Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk said discussions about whether mask regulations would return in some circumstances in the Sunshine State were still ongoing.
We are not imposing a mask requirement, but there have been discussions about encouraging people to wear masks in specific circumstances, she said.
“We will inform the public if anything changes,” it says.
A mask mandate, according to ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith, is not completely off the table.
She did, however, say that other possibilities were being thought about.
People who are willing to wear masks are already doing so, according to one theory, so mandatory mask requirements may not be as effective as they have been in the past.