Australia's fourth COVID-19 vaccine jab expansion is now expected to happen. 

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A clinical staff member holds a BCG vial and syringe in the trial clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner hospital on April 20, 2020 in Perth, Australia. Healthcare workers in Western Australia are participating in a new trial to test.

As of writing, old residents over 65 years old, as well as other people more at risk of contracting the disease, are the ones allowed to have their fourth vaccine medicine. 

But, this scenario may soon be changed as New South Wales authorities consider expanding its list of fourth vaccine eligible list. 

Australia's Chief Health Officer, Dr. Kerry Chant, said that NSW is now expecting a rise in hospitalizations from late July until early August. 

"We predict hospitalizations will be similar to BA.1 in January," said the health official. 

Australia 4th COVID-19 Vaccine Jab Expansion To Happen! 

According to 9NewsAu's latest report, Australia's borders started to fully reopen on July 6.

This is the first time that the country allowed travel activities to and from Australia two years after the global COVID-19 pandemic began. 

(Photo : WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
A woman looks at a mural of a health worker with wings holding a globe on International Nurses Day in Melbourne on May 12, 2020. - As frontline hospital staff are constantly facing the risks from the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, the world is marking International Nurses Day.

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NSW officials said that unvaccinated travelers are now allowed to enter the country as they end their strict health protocols. 

But, they are also expecting that the number of hospitalized COVID-19 cases will also increase.

Dr. Chant even said that the rise of infections will be similar to BA.1 cases back in January. 

Because of this, they are now planning to allow more residents to receive their fourth COVID-19 vaccine jabs.  

Australian Prime Minister Encourages It

Aside from Dr. Chant, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also agreed with the expansion of the fourth COVID-19 vaccine jabs. 

He said that it is not a matter of "if," but more of a when. This means that they are now just waiting for when will the fourth vaccine expansion start rolling out. 

This effort of NSW officials will be really helpful, especially since Anadolu Agency reported that the Australian government no longer requires visitors to provide vaccine status. 

But, Australian Health Minister Mark Butler clarified that travelers are still required to follow the remaining health regulations imposed by the government. 

Meanwhile, experts claimed that new COVID-19 variants will continue to circulate throughout the summer of 2022. 

On the other hand, new COVID-19 cases in Shenzhen were detected.

For more news updates about COVID-19 and other health topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. 

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Written by: Griffin Davis