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AAP
AAP
Health
Rachael Ward

Footy fans urged to get COVID-19 booster

The nearly one in three Australians who have not had a COVID-19 booster are being urged to do so before footy finals and the spring racing carnival.

It's particularly important to be protected as changes to mask rules and isolation come into effect on Friday, according to a leading vaccine advocacy group.

Immunisation Coalition CEO Kim Sampson says he wants vaccine-complacent Australians to be jolted out of thinking the pandemic is over.

"As we head into the footy finals, with large crowds of fans from across the country travelling and gathering, it's important Australians don't delay protecting themselves and their loved ones by being fully vaccinated," Mr Sampton said.

Just over 71 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over have had three or more jabs.

There's also concern that less than 60 per cent of school-aged children are immunised against COVID-19.

There have been nine reported COVID-19 deaths in children under five.

Immunisation Coalition Board member Professor Robert Booy is urging parents to make sure their children are protected.

"COVID-19 disease has been described as a generation-defining disruption to children who have been forced to forego large amounts of their education," he said.

"Vaccines are available for high-risk children between the ages of six months and five years and are more widely available for school children in general."

The push comes as states and territories agree to stop releasing daily COVID-19 case figures from Friday.

The federal government will instead issue weekly data on new cases, deaths, hospitalisations and ICU admissions.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler says chief health officers support the change

"The national report will be expanded to include trends-based analysis and oral antiviral uptake," he said.

There were more than 10,000 new cases of COVID-19 and 62 deaths reported across Australia on Wednesday.

LATEST 24-HOUR COVID DATA:

NSW: 3334 cases, 25 deaths, 1530 in hospital with 29 in ICU

Victoria: 2102 cases, 24 deaths, 227 in hospital with 15 in ICU

NT: 89 cases, no deaths, 15 in hospital with one in ICU

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