Christmas has looked a little different since 2019. While thoughts of wrapping presents, family feasts and baked ham have never disappeared, Australians have learned to expect an increase in Covid-19 cases come Christmas time. 

With lockdowns feeling long behind us, experts fear we may have let our guard down when it comes to keeping vaccinations up and infection transmissions down. 

In the last fortnight, Covid-19 activity increased across all indicators. In Western NSW, 164 cases were registered over the two week period. 

“We are currently experiencing a significant wave of transmission in Australia. Testing has declined markedly and the daily number of cases doesn’t provide a clear picture of the extent of transmission any more,” said epidemiologist James Trauer. 

“Vaccination remains our most important defence against Covid, even though the virus shouldn’t ruin Christmas this year.”

Despite an increase in cases compared to other periods of the year, the severity of Covid-19 cases has decreased, and ICU admission rates are much lower. 

“This is attributable to high levels of population immunity, which is contributed to by both natural immunity (from past infection) and vaccination-derived immunity,” Associate Professor Trauer said.

“Covid is now an ‘endemic’ infection, meaning that the infection cannot be eliminated and transmission occurs continuously. When immunity after infection is short-lived, endemic transmission occurs in peaks and troughs as immunity from previous waves fades.”

Newer vaccines more appropriate

As new variants of Covid-19 have evolved, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations recommends some vaccines over others when it comes to dose updates. 

“COVID-19 is constantly evolving and XBB is antigenically distant to the original Omicron variants we have seen before. This is why we need new tools to fight the virus,” said Dr Krishan Thiru, Pfizer Australia & New Zealand Country Medical Director. 

“Australia is experiencing an eighth COVID-19 wave and we are seeing an uptick in the number of cases and hospitalisations across the country,” Dr Krishan said. 

“Being vigilant about staying up to date with vaccination and lowering our risk of infection is critical as we head into the holiday period and families and friends gather in large groups, or travel interstate and abroad.”

“We are reminding Australians that COVID loves a crowd.“