Federal health authorities say it is still to early to know if Australians will be advised to receive a fourth COVID booster shot in a bid to protect against the Omicron variant.

Some countries, including Israel, have begun administering a fourth dose of the vaccine.

Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater, Dr Paul Griffin, said it was clear that the third dose was vitally important now with high levels of community transmission.

“I think it’s reasonable to expect that is not going to provide us lasting protection for the rest of our lives so we won’t ever need another booster, so it’s almost certain we will need another one but exactly when that will be and exactly what it will be composed of, is still to be determined,” he told Scott Emerson.

He said it was possible that another booster would be required, if a new variant emerges at some point.

Press PLAY below to hear about how the COVID booster could be combined with the annual flu jab

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