The Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care has issued the following COVID vaccine updates.

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice on the use of Moderna Bivalent BA.4/5 COVID-19 vaccine 

Following TGA approval, the Minister has accepted advice from ATAGI that the Moderna Bivalent BA.4/5 COVID-19 vaccine can be used in eligible adolescents and adults aged 12 years or older who are recommended (or advised to consider) a COVID-19 booster dose according to the ATAGI 2023 booster advice.  

All currently available COVID-19 vaccines are anticipated to provide benefit as a booster dose, however bivalent booster vaccines, including the Moderna bivalent BA.4/5 vaccine and Pfizer bivalent BA.4/5 vaccine, are preferred over other vaccines.  

The Department of Health and Aged Care is currently finalising arrangements for the rollout of the Moderna Bivalent BA.4/5 vaccine and will contact providers in due course about arrangements for vaccine supply and delivery.  This vaccine is expected to be available in Australia at administration sites from April. 

Providers can refer to the ATAGI COVID-19 vaccine doses and administration webpage to check which vaccines are recommended by age group. 

Halton review into COVID-19 vaccine and treatment procurement:  Professor Halton was tasked with reviewin the procurement arrangements, and ensuring they were fit-for-purpose in light of what we have learned about the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Government has carefully considered Professor Halton’s review and fully accepted seven of the eight recommendations contained in her report. A recommendation relating to the National Medical Stockpile has been partially accepted.  

Professor Halton’s report and the Government’s response have been published on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.