Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer says a fourth shot of the coronavirus vaccine could be needed within 12 months of the third dose in order to target the Omicron variant.
Follow today’s events as they happen.
Live updates
By Alexis Moran
We are standing by to hear from the Prime Minister
You can watch the press conference live on the stream at the top of this blog.
Scott Morrison is expected to be speaking about the vaccine announcement for children aged 5-11 which will begin from January 10 next year.
By Alexis Moran
Bondi hostel in lockdown
Guests and staff at a backpackers hostel at Bondi Beach have been tested for COVID-19 after the building was placed into lockdown.
Police cordoned off the venue, preventing anyone from leaving.
It was not known how many people at the hostel had tested positive or whether they had the new Omicron variant.
Bobby King from the UK said news of the outbreak came as a shock.
“It’s literally come out of nowhere and we’ve all been pretty safe and social distancing,” he said.
By Alexis Moran
Pfizer’s chief executive says a fourth shot could be needed in order to target Omicron
Reporting by North America Correspondent Kathryn Diss
Vaccine booster shots are likely to help control spread of the new variant – with early laboratory results suggesting the standard two doses won’t be enough.
Pfizer’s chief executive Albert Bourla told US media a fourth dose could be needed 12 months after the third shot – but it was considering moving up the timeline.
Federal regulators in the US today authorised a booster shot for 16 and 17 year-olds, clearing the way for millions of teenagers to get an additional shot.
Almost 50 million Americans or one fourth of those fully vaccinated have received the third booster dose.
By Alexis Moran
Hello!
Hi there and welcome to another ABC News coronavirus live blog.
Let’s get into it.
