International students, travellers may need three shots to be considered ‘fully vaccinated’

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is considering whether to change the definition of “fully vaccinated” into three vaccine doses, following an increase in cases since borders reopened.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee said in its advice last week that it understood ATAGI “will consider whether a three-dose rather than a two-dose course meets requirements for full vaccination status, noting that there will be significant considerations for implementation if this definition changes.”

In a press conference on Monday, Morrison said that Australia needed to “keep moving forward” with the easing of pandemic restrictions while also stating that vaccination and booster shots remained the “best defence” against Omicron.

For now, there is no rule that international students or travellers need three doses to be considered “fully vaccinated” to enter the country.

As of Dec. 21, 2021, Australia has fully vaccinated (double dose) 90.64% of their citizens, however only 7.33% had their booster shots. Source: Australian Immunisation Register

Current Australian vaccination rates

As of Dec. 21, 2021, Australia has fully vaccinated (double dose) 90.64% of their citizens. Only 7.33% had received their booster shots. Australia’s vaccination rates would need to speed up substantially in order to meet the triple dose “fully vaccination” criteria if they actually do implement it.

For more detailed information regarding the Australian vaccination rate, read the COVID-19 vaccine rollout update – 21 December 2021.

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