Karl Stefanovic has shocked viewers by blasting the fifth booster shot recommendation, declaring he is “done with the vaccine”.
On Wednesday’s episode of the Today show, Stefanovic expressed concerns that the jab could cause “heart issues” as the Australian Technical Advisory Group (ATAGI) updated its vaccine advice.
ATAGI announced on Wednesday that as of February 20, anyone aged 18 and over who has not had a Covid vaccine or confirmed case of coronavirus in the past six months will be eligible for another shot – opening up fourth doses to Australians aged 19-29 and fifth doses for those aged 65 and over.
“As you know, I am not a glowing ambassador for more than two shots,” Stefanovic said.
“There’s a big chunk of Australians that are done with it and a chunk that are happy to keep having them.”
The Today show host went on to question whether the new shot would be capable of fighting new strains of the virus, saying he was aware of people “over the age of 60 who are still incredibly nervous about getting it”.
“The other thing that I am concerned about, if I have another dose, is that I may get complications,” he said.
“I have seen all those reports on the internet about fit and healthy people just dropping down with health issues.
“It is still not obviously established yet, whether or not the vaccine causes some of the heart issues, (but) that is a worry for me more so than getting Covid.”
Stefanovic’s guest and medical expert Nick Coatsworth insisted Australians aged over 60 “needn’t be” scared of the jab but conceded boosters were only a temporary solution.
“Let’s understand the science, if you get a fifth dose your protection is enhanced for around about 8-12 weeks and then it returns after the fourth dose or the third dose,” Dr Coatsworth said.
“It is a very transient protection, it is not protection for life.
“That is the problem with these boosters and eventually we will have to stop with these recommendations for ongoing boosters.”
ATAGI has re-emphasised the importance of Australians who are already eligible, including those aged over 65, to get a booster in 2023 as they remain at high risk of severe disease and death from Covid.
At present an additional booster will not be offered to anyone under 18, with the exception of children aged 5-17 who have health conditions subjecting them to a risk of severe illness.