A further 14 COVID-19 deaths reported in Australia as fourth vaccine dose becomes available

Eligible Australians can now receive their fourth booster shot, if they received their third dose at least four months ago.

A health worker assists a person with their vaccination appointment at a pop-up clinic at the State Library Victoria in Melbourne on 20 December 2021. Source: AAP / AAP

Another 14 COVID-19 deaths were recorded in Australia in the last 24 hours, with an additional 42,140 coronavirus cases.

NSW reported the largest tally with six deaths, 15,572 new COVID-19 cases and 1,418 COVID patients in hospital, of whom 56 are in intensive care.

In Victoria, one death was recorded, with 10,011 cases. Of the 305 COVID-19 patients in hospital, 17 are in intensive care units (ICU).

In Queensland, one death was reported, along with 7,707 cases. There are 437 in the state's hospital system, including 14 in ICU.

In Western Australia, there were six historical deaths, 6,082 cases and 231 in hospital, including six in ICU.

Tasmania documented no deaths, 1,725 cases, 40 patients in hospital and one in ICU.

The ACT had no deaths, 739 cases, 45 patients in hospital and four people in ICU.

In the Northern Territory, there were no virus-related deaths, 304 new cases and 14 people in hospital, with one in ICU.

More than half a million Australians are dealing with COVID-19 infections as authorities begin to roll out a second booster for vulnerable groups.

The number of active cases has climbed above the 500,000 mark for the first time since late January, when the initial Omicron wave receded.

Around one in five PCR tests are coming back positive in Western Australia, which is still in the midst of its first major outbreak.

Experts say a fourth vaccine will be critical in the effort to protect at-risk Australians ahead of winter, with a surge in cases of the virus and influenza looming.

People aged 65 and older, Indigenous Australians aged at least 50, disability care residents and the immunocompromised are among those able to receive their fourth dose from Monday.

An estimated 4.7 million people will be eligible to get a fourth dose ,but it is expected fewer than 200,000 will meet requirements at the start of the rollout.

People can have a second booster shot four months after receiving their first.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee expects an infection peak will hit in mid-April in several jurisdictions.

Comprised of chief health officers from across the country, the group said it is considering recommending the removal of quarantine for COVID-19 close contacts.

It says isolation could be replaced by frequent rapid antigen testing, the wearing of masks outside the house and limiting access of close contacts to high-risk settings.

More than 47,000 new COVID-19 infections and 17 virus-related deaths were reported across the country on Sunday.

Almost 2,600 patients are being cared for in hospital wards, 103 of them in intensive care.