Australia's medical regulator has given its first green light to the AstraZeneca booster shot for people above the age of 18.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration provisionally approved Vaxzevria as a booster, which means the decision to receive the AstraZeneca third jab must be made in consultation with a medical professional.
The two mRNA vaccines which have been approved in Australia, Pfizer and Moderna, are the preferred booster doses, irrespective of the primary vaccine a person received, the TGA said.
"This includes for people who received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for their primary course," the authority said in a statement.
"The Australian government continues to encourage individuals to have a booster following their initial two vaccination doses to enables strong protection against severe illness and hospitalisation, particularly from the Omicron variant."
