False: The Premier of Western Australia faked getting the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Although the safety syringe needle is not visible in certain photos of Mark McGowan getting the booster dose, it can be seen in videos.Multiple posts on Facebook and on other social media platforms claim that Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan did not receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This is based on a photo of him getting the booster that he tweeted on December 29, 2021, emphasizing the importance of protecting oneself against the Omicron variant. In the image that he tweeted, the syringe needle is not visible, and this is what the claim is based on. However, this claim is false. Premier Mark McGowan received his first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in front of the press media on May 3, 2021, according to The Western Australian. On December 29, McGowan received his booster jab at the Kwinana vaccination clinic in Perth's southern suburbs, according to Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) News. The syringe needle is visible in the 7News Perth video. Australians must get the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine after 21 days of the first dose. The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses must be administered between 4 to 12 weeks of the first dose. Recipients of both doses are considered fully vaccinated. After the emergence of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19, Western Australia requires a third dose for workers under the existing mandate as part of the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. Western Australians who received their second dose vaccine more than four months ago are eligible to get the third dose. The Structured Administration and Supply Arrangement (SASA) does not explicitly mention if medical practitioners or nurses administering COVID-19 vaccines must be wearing any gloves, latex or otherwise. However, other hygiene and safety precautions are required, such as a spacious and well-lit environment, disinfectant wipes, adequate disposal bins, and a complete anaphylaxis response kit, among other things. This is not the first time a politician or a celebrity has been falsely accused of faking a vaccination. Previously, Logically debunked a claim about U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson that argued he had not gotten the booster dose because only the orange part of the safety syringe was visible in the corresponding images. Syringes are designed to have safety mechanisms to protect patients and medical workers from needlestick injuries. The lid covering the sides of the needle can be of varying colors depending on the manufacturer. Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and singer Mariah Carey came under the spotlight in 2021 for similar reasons. A syringe with a retractable needle was used to inject Carey, which resulted in the needle not clearly appearing in the corresponding photos and videos. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19, including symptoms, prevention, and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organization or your national healthcare authority.