'Crucial time': COVID-19 warning ahead of the festive season

Rising COVID-19 cases has prompted calls for people to get their booster shot as the festive season approaches.

Leading GP Dr Brad McKay told Weekend Today that although COVID-19 hospital admissions were lower than previous years, it was still important to keep up-to-date with your COVID-19 booster shot.

"There are so many people who haven't had their third vaccine, let alone their fourth and this is really a crucial time," he said.

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"If you've got a bit of a window of opportunity if you're due for a vaccine. If it's been three months since your last vaccine or three months since you've had COVID, go out and get it.

"A lot of my patients haven't had a vaccine since a year ago. Their immunity will be waning."

Dr McKay warned COVID-19 cases would be rising in the coming months.

"We're not seeing that many more people are ending up in hospital compared to previous," he said.

"I think we're optimistic it is going to be a low wave, not as bad as what we've seen previously, but it's just still a reminder to go out there and get vaccinated."

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It comes just days after New South Wales residents were warned the state was in the early stages of its next COVID-19 wave.

"We're starting to see an increase in COVID cases and changes in the variants circulating in New South Wales, which tells us that we're entering the next COVID wave," Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

"By looking at all the local information we have and what's happening overseas, we believe COVID cases will rise in the coming weeks."