New recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination

All Australian adults who have not had a COVID-19 vaccine booster or a confirmed case of the virus in the previous six months will be able to receive another booster dose from Monday.

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, ATAGI, advised the Federal Government of the new recommendation to give adults additional protection against severe illness from COVID-19.

ATAGI recommends everyone at risk of severe illness – that is, everyone aged 65 years and older as well as younger adults who have medical comorbidities, disability or complex health, needs a 2023 booster dose. The ATAGI also advised otherwise healthy children and teenagers do not need a booster at this time.

Health minister Mark Butler said the government had secured ‘millions of doses’ of Omicron-specific boosters, with millions more arriving this month.

“From February 20, all adults who have not had a booster or an infection in the past six months can go out and get a booster shot, to give themselves additional protection against severe illness from COVID-19,” Mr Butler said.

“Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells and I will be writing to aged care providers to encourage them to bring pharmacists and GPS into their facilities to administer the additional booster doses.”

In all instances, the recommendation for a booster is for people whose most recent COVID-19 vaccine or infection was six months or more ago, irrespective of how many prior doses that person has received.

People can visit www.covid-vaccine. healthdirect.gov.au/booking to book an appointment.