Campaigns to boost flu and COVID-19 inoculation across Australia ahead of winter kick off today, with a warning from a leading vaccination specialist that a ‘whopper’ flu season is overdue.

ATAGI has recommended that five million vulnerable Australians get a second booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including all patients aged 65 or older, plus patients with severe immunocompromise, ahead of an anticipated surge of cases as the weather cools.

The extra dose can be given four months after the first booster or, if the person has had SARS-CoV-2 infection, four months after that infection, ATAGI says.

This year’s winter will be a step into the unknown for Australia, being the first cold season with open borders and no heavy public health restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19.