Melbourne Covid expert wants Aussies to get vaccinated for Christmas: ‘Our most important defence’

A new wave of COVID-19 cases is hitting the country as experts warn people to remain vigilant and up to date on their vaccines as we head into the holidays.

Associate Professor James Trauer, head of the epidemiological modeling unit at Monash University, says there is a wave of COVID-19 infections spreading through the community.

“Vaccination remains our most important defense against COVID, even if the virus should not ruin Christmas this year,” he said on Wednesday.

COVID-19 is now an endemic virus, meaning it cannot be eliminated and is continuously transmitted.

The rise in coronavirus cases has generally been driven by new variants, meaning it was “more difficult than ever to predict” when these waves would peak, Prof. Trauer said.

Scientists’ view of community transmission is further clouded by a lack of data.

With testing clearly down, daily case counts do not provide a clear picture of the spread of the virus, although researchers can still use hospitalization rates and wastewater surveillance to monitor COVID-19 waves.

The severity of coronavirus cases has declined and fewer Australians are being admitted to intensive care due to the high level of population immunity gained through vaccinations and natural protection against past infections.

Health Minister Mark Butler says this is a new phase of the pandemic.

“We’re seeing fairly regular waves every four to six months,” he told ABC Perth.

‘Each wave is a little bit smaller than the last.

“We’re getting better every time in how we handle it in hospital systems and in elderly care settings.”

But he stressed that the virus ‘has not gone away’

Prof Trauer says Australians should still exercise caution by wearing a mask and testing before coming into contact with vulnerable people, such as people over 65 and especially those over 75.

Associate Professor James Trauer from Monash Universities wants Australians to be vaccinated

They should also look for booster vaccines, as these provide longer-term immunity than reinfection.

“Our most important protection against the effects of COVID is immunity, which can be strengthened by vaccination,” Prof. Trauer said.

Mr Butler said he was concerned about the relatively low uptake of booster shots, with authorities saying only a quarter of vulnerable Australians have recently had a jab.

“The booster rate is not what we saw in the early years of the pandemic,” he said.

“I’m particularly concerned about older Australians coming out and getting their booster.”

New COVID-19 vaccines, which target common variants of the virus, will become available from next month.

Pfizer’s monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine will be available for use in eligible Australians aged five years and over, while Moderna’s monovalent

“They are the very latest vaccines, but fortunately the vaccines currently available in pharmacies and GP surgeries are also very, very effective at protecting against serious illness or death,” Mr Butler said.

Those who have had a vaccination this year do not need to be vaccinated again.