Key Points
- Prof Jane Halton was asked to review Australia's COVID-19 vaccine and treatment procurements on 30 June
- Prof Halton has made eight recommendations
- Health Minister Mark Butler urges Australians not to wait for Omicron-specific boosters
Professor Jane Halton has made eight recommendations in her independent review of Australia's COVID-19 vaccine and treatment purchase.
"Early procurement of vaccines and treatments occurred in a highly competitive global market," Professor Halton said in her report.
"In this context, Australia secured a portfolio of effective COVID-19 vaccines and treatments enabling high rates of primary course vaccination preventing serious illness and death relative to global peers," the former health secretary added.
Prof Halton said her team concluded that ad hoc arrangements put in place at the start of the pandemic require updating.
"Pre-pandemic structures and processes were not fit for purpose in an emergency context," she noted.
"With the likelihood of continuing waves of COVID-19 and the need for ongoing, integrated advice, new advisory structures and mandates will be required."
Health Minister Mark Butler said the federal government will now carefully consider the recommendations as part of its long-term strategy to manage COVID-19.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, Mr Butler asked Australians not to wait for the Omicron-specific booster doses.
"I do say to the Australian people, take whatever booster is available to you now - they are all very effective, particularly in preventing severe disease," he said.
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