With WA borders opening lung expert encourages vulnerable to take booster

Associate Professor Yuben Moodley, head of the Stem Cell Therapy Unit at the Institute for Respiratory Health, is encouraging people who are at greater risk of developing a serious illness from coronavirus to take the booster shot now before the borders open on Saturday 5 February.  

“With our borders opening and with the Delta and Omicron variants circulating it’s important that vulnerable people – those with an underlying medical condition like a lung condition, people aged over 50 years and older, those living in aged care and disability accommodation and people who may be at risk because of their work take the booster jab,” said Associate Professor Moodley.

“As of today more than 212,000 West Australians are eligible for a third dose but only 15 per cent have received one so far. This might be down to some confusion around who should take the booster jab and when they should take it.

“The waiting time has been reduced from six to five months. Pfizer and Moderna have both been approved as booster options. You don’t need to get the same vaccine you received for your first or second dose. There’s also suggestions having a different brand of vaccine for your booster could give you broader immunity.”

Booster shots can be booked through community pharmacies and health clinics subject to availability. Visit the covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au website to make a booking.

“With just over six weeks until the borders open I urge those who are eligible to get their booster shots straight away,” said Associate Professor Moodley.