Protests across country over vaccine mandates; Moderna confirmed as booster jab and wait time cut – as it happened

Large anti-vaccine mandate protests held in Sydney and Melbourne; Moderna Covid vaccines boosters approved by Atagi; wait time for vaccine booster shots cut from six months to five; NSW records 485 new coronavirus cases and two deaths; Victoria records 1,069 cases and two deaths; suspected Omicron case visited Newcastle nightclub. This blog is now closed

• NSW Covid cases spike as Victoria records 13 deaths and Aactas listed as hotspot
• Download the free Guardian app; get our morning email briefing

The defence minister, Peter Dutton, says Scott Morrison is “looking forward very much” to welcoming South Korean president Moon Jae-in to Australia.

Moon is due to meet with the prime minister in Canberra tomorrow. While in Australia, Moon is also scheduled to meet with the opposition leader, Anthony Albanese – an engagement that Dutton described as “a sign of respect”.

I think it underscores particularly during Covid, where where travel is very difficult, what South Korea see in the Australian relationship. They see it as a vital relationship as do we. And there is an enormous amount of upside on trading, particularly in relation to green energy and hydrogen, a very important partner in that regard. So I think this really signals a deepening of the already very strong relationship between our two countries.

Everyone living in Australia aged 18 and over who has completed their primary two-dose course of vaccination at least five months ago is now eligible to have an additional booster shot. This was previously recommended to be six months from a second dose. A booster dose, five or more months after the second dose, will make sure that the protection from the primary course is even stronger and longer lasting and should help prevent spread of the virus. Data from Israel shows boosters supporting reductions in the rate of infection in eligible age groups, severe disease in those aged over 40 years and deaths in those over 60 years.

Continue reading…

Source link