As Christmas approaches with staff parties and family gatherings, more Covid-19 cases have been appearing in the community.

Up to 500,000 Australians could be infected with Covid-19 as cases and hopsitalisations continue to rise during the fourth Omicron wave. 

Infectious diseases physician and microbiologist, Professor Peter Collignon told 6PR Mornings host Gary Adshead that the communities increase in vaccinations creates less consequences compared to last year.

"It reduces your risk of death or hospitalisation by at least 90% or more, so the situation now with Covid is, provided your vaccinated is of equal chance to you of dying or being seriously ill as influenza is," he told Gary. 

"Realistically what are we going to do? Mask mandates don't do much on a population basis. Are we going to close our clubs and pubs again? Are we going to have lockdowns again? None of those are realistic."

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