New Moderna vaccine available from GRPHU bus

The new Moderna bivalent COVID vaccine is now available from the Gippsland Region Public Health Unit's (GRPHU) mobile vaccination bus, Chitty Chitty Jab Jab.
Approved by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the new Omicron-specific version of the Moderna vaccine is used as a booster for people aged 18 and over.
GRPHU Operations Director, Annelies Titulaer said the vaccine provided better protection against some COVID-19 variants circulating in Australia.
"Bivalent points to the fact the vaccine has two targets instead of one," she said.
"It is aimed at stopping infection from the original 2020 COVID-19 variant as well as Omicron variant BA.1."
While the new vaccine only targets BA.1, the GRPHU reports it also appears to give some extra protection against subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, the main Omicron variant circulating in Australia.
The GRPHU's immunisers have been trained in this vaccine and Ms Titulaer said anyone who had not had their third or fourth vaccinations should consider getting the Moderna bivalent as a booster shot.
"The safety of the bivalent vaccine is the same as the original vaccine, which had been demonstrated to be safe in pregnancy and in those who were immunocompromised," she said.
"People at increased risk of severe illness, hospitalisation or death from COVID-19 can talk to their GP or health practitioner if they are unsure. Our friendly bus team is happy to discuss which vaccine is right for you on your arrival."