TGA approves AstraZeneca jab for booster shots

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Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has provisionally approved the booster dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

But it continues to recommend Australians choose the mRNA shots made by either Moderna or Pfizer for their third jab.

On Wednesday night, the TGA said it had given provisional approval on Tuesday for the jab, named Vaxzevria, to be administered to individuals aged 18 years and older.

FILE - Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine, previously COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, are pictured at the Assad Iben El Fourat school in Oued Ellil, outside Tunis, on Aug.8, 2021. — Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has provisionally approved the booster dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine named Vaxzevria (AP)

“The third (booster) dose may be given if clinically indicated with reference to official guidance regarding the use of a heterologous third dose (e.g. mRNA vaccine),” it said, in a statement.

“This means that the decision to receive Vaxzevria as a booster must be made in consultation with a medical professional.”

The TGA said the COVID-19 vaccines Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) were still the preferred boosters.

The mRNA jabs can both be used irrespective of which COVID-19 vaccines someone has already received, including Astrazeneca.

While the third vaccine dose isn’t mandatory it is advised amid the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant — with 31,510 new cases across the country in the 24 hours to February 8.

The TGA said the Australian public assessment report for the decision would be published in the coming days.

Source: 9News