Australians have been warned that falling Covid vaccinations can be the risk if a new highly infectious tension of the virus is created.
The variant known as NB.1.8.1 – for the first time registered on January 21 – is responsible for a sharp rise in cases in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan and is now the dominant tribe in WA, responsible for a jump of 24 percent in the case.
Professor Paul Griffin, from Mater Hospital in Brisbane, said that the COVID vaccination percentage is the lowest that it has been introduced five years ago.
“We dropped the ball with COVID-19 vaccinations, but this disease is still common in the community and is a serious threat to patients with a high risk,” said Prof. Griffin, director of infectious diseases in the hospital.
‘It should now be a booster once a year, just as the flu vaccine is, and with the winter here next week, this is time to be vaccinated and it is safe to get them both together.
‘There are hundreds of different types of Omicron, and the new Subvariant NB.1.8.1 leads to infections and hospital admissions, especially in Asia and West -Australia.
“The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get the newest booster that offers very good coverage, is safe and will reduce the severity of your symptoms.”
Less than 250,000 Queenslanders have received an annual booster, despite the fact that, together with the flu vaccine, it is free.
Covid -booster -vaccine prices have fallen with experts who warn that it is still a risk
A new NB.1.8.1 variant has caused an increase in the case in Asia this year
He said that there has also been a strong increase in flu cases in Queensland with more than 2,000 people who have already been admitted to the hospital this year.
This is an increase of 30 percent compared to the same period last year and could be a threat of overloading the hospital system if COVID -cases would also be.
He said that cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were also high with 1500 people in the hospital, making it a ‘triple threat’.
“More than half of these hospital admissions were for the most vulnerable in our community, babies less than six months and people older than 65,” said Prof Griffin.
RSV vaccinations are free for pregnant women, with immunity and then passed on to babies until they are six months old.
Experts have warned that vaccination rates across the board – not just for COVID – have fallen steadily since the Covid Pandemie.
‘Since 2020, the share of children who have been fully vaccinated has fallen every year. For every children’s vaccine on the national immunization schedule, protection was lower in 2024 than in 2020, “said Professor Peter Beadon of the Grattan Institute.
‘Worldwide in 2023 measles shops increased by 20 percent.
“Australia has been a success story of vaccination … It made children healthier … Some diseases such as polio were almost eliminated … but that success is in danger.”
#Health #expert #furious #Aussies #avoid #COVID19 #vaccine #dropped #ball