A national surge in coronavirus cases driven by newer variants of the Omicron strain of COVID-19 is raising concerns about the impact on the health system over winter.

The BA4 and BA5 variants have seen case numbers similar to those seen during the original Omicron wave in summer and has prompted health officials to call for eligibility for a fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine to be expanded and better access to anti-viral treatments.

So far, only those aged 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 50 and over and those with conditions that increase the risk of severe illness are eligible for a fourth “winter” dose.

Today on Please Explain, health reporter Mary Ward joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss whether there’ll be a wider rollout of a fourth dose.

A national surge in coronavirus cases driven by newer variants of the Omicron strain of COVID-19 is raising concerns about the impact on the health system over winter.
The BA4 and BA5 variants have seen case numbers similar to those seen during the original Omicron wave in summer and has prompted health officials to call for eligibility for a fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine to be expanded and better access to anti-viral treatments.
So far, only those aged 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 50 and over and those with conditions that increase the risk of severe illness are eligible for a fourth “winter” dose.
Today on Please Explain, health reporter Mary Ward joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss whether there’ll be a wider rollout of a fourth dose.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

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