Hunt refuses to pre-empt any decision on whether three doses could become the default standard to be defined as fully vaccinated and appears to suggest that some states may go their own way.
“Firstly in relation to the definitions, again we follow ATAGI, so the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, they are the official national advisory body with regards to vaccine policy.
“That is an item that is being considered, so I won’t pre-empt. Either way we want to encourage everybody to come forward for their booster. Fortunately, they are. Now over 7.3 million Australians and over 200,000 a day, including 232,000 just yesterday.
“So at a higher rate than the highest first and second dose days during August, September and October. So that’s I think a really strong sign. But the simple message is do not wait.
“Right now we have the omicron wave and whilst those numbers are down, pleasingly down, exactly as Alison has set out we know that a proportion of people, even though it’s a significantly lower proportion, will be hospitalised, face ICU or ventilation and some will sadly and agonisingly pass away. So do not wait.
But then Hunt added this intriguing comment: “In terms of the situation, it will be up to individual states and territories or workplaces if they seek to impose an extra requirement.”
Seeking clarification about the comment, The Australian Financial Review was told the Minister was simply indicating that the application of any three dose mandate – in terms of workplaces, venues and events – is expected to be a decision of individual states.