Australia is expected to follow other parts of the world in expanding eligibility for a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose to the wider population, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling it "a matter of urgency".
It comes as Pfizer takes a step towards rolling out two new vaccines which target the Omicron variant.
"The pandemic isn't over, so my view is that [Australia] will inevitably follow what has occurred in other parts of the world and roll out a further booster shot," Mr Albanese told reporters on Wednesday.
"I'd encourage people who haven't had their booster shots to go out there if they're eligible and do it as a matter of urgency."
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced on Wednesday it had granted two provisional determinations to Pfizer Australia for its vaccines, Comirnaty Omicron and Comirnaty Bivalent.
It means Pfizer is now able to apply to the TGA for provisional registration of the two vaccines and seek authorisation to bring them to market.
Mr Albanese said immunization experts would look at available evidence before making a recommendation on a broader fourth dose rollout, with the nation grappling with rising case numbers.
A fourth dose is currently available for Australians aged 65 and older and vulnerable people.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) discussed the benefits of expanding the fourth dose eligibility at its meeting on Wednesday.
Amid unconfirmed reports that ATAGI would recommend fourth doses for anyone over the age of 50, federal Health Minister Mark Butler told Radio 3AW he did not expect to get ATAGI's official advice on extra booster shots until Friday after the group had worked on the details of its decisions.
Meanwhile, Queensland's Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said the new wave of BA4 and BA5 subvariants of the virus — which can evade both natural and vaccine immunity — is not expected to peak until late July or early August.
"It's very likely that either you or someone you know close to you will be infected, it will be very common," Mr Gerrard said.
Victoria has extended its pandemic declaration by three months until at least October 12.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard also warned that anyone who isn't fully vaccinated is "crazy" as the state braces for a third wave to peak.
On Wednesday, there were 3781 people with COVID-19 in hospitals across the country — the highest level since the height of the Omicron wave in February.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff used a media conference to "strongly recommend" the use of masks in indoor public spaces.
Latest 24-hour COVID-19 data:
- Victoria: 10,056 cases, 23 deaths, 523 in hospital with 29 in ICU
- NSW: 13,775 cases, 10 deaths, 1822 in hospital with 64 in ICU
- Tasmania: 1700 cases, one death, 79 in hospital with two in ICU
- Queensland: 5878 cases, four deaths, 705 in hospital with 18 in ICU
- ACT: 1477 cases, no deaths, 135 in hospital with five in ICU
- WA: 6296 cases, one death, 226 in hospital with eight in ICU
- SA: 4072 cases, five deaths, 267 in hospital with 11 in ICU
- NT: 342 cases, no deaths, 24 in hospital with one in ICU
AAP/ABC
