Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services) Share this | Hansard source

COLBECK (—) (): A booster program will give a boost in protection to those who are fully vaccinated with their second dose. Of course, that's 70 per cent of the Australian population. At the moment, the plan is being progressed through the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, ATAGI, and we expect advice will be provided to the health minister in the not-too-distant future. The government has been preparing for boosters and has secured 151 million doses for 2022 and 2023, to ensure all Australians can access a booster if it is recommended by the medical experts. Maintaining high levels of vaccination in our community will ensure we are protecting everyone, particularly those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19, including our loved ones in aged care. We will be building on the strong foundation that we have already established through the vaccine rollout.