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Australia is one of the first countries in the world to approve the use of a new COVID-19 vaccine.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved Moderna's Omicron booster candidate, also known as mRNA-1273.214.

The TGA's decision was based on data from a clinical trial, where the vaccine was tested against variants including the Omicron BA.1 and BA.4/5 subvariants.

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Moderna expects to supply the booster vaccine to Australia in September for people aged 18 and over.

"Australia becomes one of the first countries in the world to approve an Omicron-containing vaccine, highlighting its continued stewardship in the fight against COVID-19," Moderna chief commercial officer Arpa Garay said.

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"This is a vital step in helping to keep the Australian people safe from the ongoing threat that COVID-19 represents to global public health."

Moderna said it has also received approval for the booster in the UK and Switzerland.

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The Victorian and NSW governments have forged a "historic partnership" to help improve access to medical services in the two states, their premiers have announced.

The governments are set to each establish 25 'urgent care services' facilities in their states in partnership with general practitioners in an effort to ease pressure on hospital emergency departments.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the joint venture together at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne's north east this morning.

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Premier Daniel Andrews said "the historic partnership" was aimed to address the challenges Australians are facing when trying to get a bulk-billed GP appointment.

"This is just common sense," he said.

"It's a better investment in a primary care system."

The GP-partnered services are planned to be able to manage conditions such as mild infections, fractures and burns.

They will operate for extended hours and patients will not be charged for services provided by GPs.

Patients without a Medicare card will also be able to access services, free of charge.

Ten of the Victorians centres will be established to partner with Frankston Hospital, Bendigo Hospital, Casey Hospital, Albury Wodonga Health, Austin Hospital, Alfred Hospital, Dandenong Hospital, Latrobe Regional Hospital, Werribee Mercy Hospital and Box Hill Hospital.

The other 10 Victorian locations have not been announced.

The NSW locations have not yet been announced.

Andrews said the facilities would be opened progressively, and would operate for a year, before they would be re-evaluated.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said reforming the health system was something NSW and Victoria needed to work on together.

"We are leading the way to adopt a new model of care by investing in our communities to ensure people can access free health care."

He said the health system needed to be reformed, and then the next step would be the federal and state governments collaborating better on the issue.

"We need to work together more," he said.

"We continue to work with the Commonwealth to make sure we have long-term solutions to offer communities first-class healthcare and provide our frontline health workers with the support they need."

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