Medsafe approved Pfizer’s application for an updated shot for the XBB.1.5 strain in December and it will be available in time for the upcoming winter season.
“American data is showing the vaccine looks highly effective [against] the strain, so that’s very reassuring,” Turner said.
She said the new variant was slightly different to the previous one.
“We do have to remember about all vaccines [against] Covid - they’re more effective against severe disease.
“So the vaccines are preventing a lot of severe disease.”
Turner said mild disease was expected, even after people are vaccinated.
“But the vaccines are having a very good effect against hospitalisation,” she said.
She said the virus was spreading even though people had been spending a lot of time outside thanks to a warm summer.
“Even though we go outdoors, we do mix closely.
“We sit together in cars, we sit together on transport, we cuddle up at our barbecues, and, you know, we hug.
“It’s pretty easy to spread this little bug around.”
Turner said vaccines offered the best form of protection.
“Particularly [for] people who are high-risk, you really at this stage still need a vaccine every six months, six months [after] you had the disease or six months since you [were last vaccinated].”
The elderly, people with medical issues, those concerned about getting severe flu or Covid symptoms should not delay getting the vaccine, she said.
But Covid is not the only virus we need to worry about, she said.
“Flu is nasty, and it kills.”
She said most flu cases occurred in winter, but recently there had been some non-seasonal outbreaks.
The new flu vaccine would be available in March.
Turner said it is essential people get it, especially because it is updated each year to match the variance.
She said it is safe to get the Covid and the flu vaccine together.
“There is data to show that they are both effective if you have them at the same time. And I’d suggest to many people prior to winter: think about having both of the vaccines at the same time.”
