All adults who have not had a COVID-19 booster or a confirmed case in the past six months are now eligible to receive a booster dose, irrespective of how many doses they have received so far.
The federal government accepted advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) that everyone at risk of severe illness, including those aged 65 years and over as well as younger adults who have medical comorbidities, disability or complex health needs, have a 2023 booster dose.
ATAGI have advised that otherwise healthy children and teenagers do not need a booster at this time, with the federal government set to not provide an additional booster to under 18’s, except where children aged five to 17 have health conditions that would put them at risk of severe illness.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the booster dose aimed to reduce the risk of severe illness from COVID.
“If you’re 65 or over, or you’re an adult at risk of severe COVID illness, and it’s been six months since your last booster or infection, it’s now time for a booster,” he said.
“The government has secured millions of doses of Omicron-specific boosters, with millions more arriving this month, in the largest one-month arrival since late 2021.
“Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells and I will be writing to aged care providers to encourage them to bring local pharmacists and GPs into their facilities to administer the additional booster doses.”
