New vaccines on the horizon

Almost three years into the pandemic, the widespread uptake of vaccines in Australia, together with the large rate of infection from the Omicron variant has created very good population immunity, according to Professor Kristine Macartney from the National Centre for Immunisation Research.

“It’s a virus that won’t be leaving the world, but we’re building up immunity to it,” said Macartney.

We’re increasingly dealing with the virus more effectively, but with changing mandatory isolation rules, people still need to be sensible about how they mix with other people.

The medical advice remains the same. “The message is still ensuring we reduce transmission of the virus in the community, particularly to those who are vulnerable to severe disease,” Professor Macartney said.

“The public are going to respond variously to the removal of the mandate, but in reality, a lot of people have already been out and about probably with COVID, and it’s very clear you want to do that with vaccination on board,” she said.