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The Australian Government launched the COVID-19 booster vaccination program in November 2021. For those who have now received their booster, the question is, what next? Will there be a fourth booster? And where are we at with variant-specific vaccinations?Summary
This article by Emi Berry, writing for UNSW Newsroom, makes the following points:
- Following vaccination, antibody response against COVID-19 decreases 20-fold from its peak within nine months.
- Evidence from the UK suggests that even following a third vaccine booster, protection against Omicron infection falls 30 per cent within three months.
- Some countries are now implementing a fourth vaccine booster program, but it is unknown how much a fourth booster will increase protection.
- Pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Moderna are currently developing and manufacturing Omicron-specific vaccines, promising to be ready by March 2022.
- The development of ‘universal’ vaccines can provide better protection against all strains of COVID-19 and potentially prevent future outbreaks.
Professional Military Eduction (PME)
References
Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:
- Should I mix or match my booster? Your COVID-19 vaccine questions answered | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
- Why are my lymph nodes swollen and sore after a Pfizer or Moderna COVID booster vaccine? | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
References from the Web:
- NOV 2021 The Race Is On to Develop a Vaccine Against Every Coronavirus—Wired
- DEC 2021 As Omicron COVID cases continue to surge, the race is on to find a variant-proof vaccine—ABC Australia
- JAN 2022 A universal vaccine to end COVID pandemics? It's in the Army's sights—CNET
Source: University of NSW (UNSW)
- Link to Source: University of NSW (UNSW)
- Media Check: UNSW Newsroom homepage (no Media Bias fact-check available)
- RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ETC |
