The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated their recommendation for COVID-19 booster doses in 2023.
Vaccine boosters protect you from getting very sick with newer variants of COVID-19. People who have at least one booster vaccine are less likely to go to hospital and less likely to die, than people who have had two doses.
ATAGI recommends a 2023 COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for the following adults, if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection was six months ago or longer:
All adults aged 65 years and over
Adults aged 18-64 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or with disability with significant or complex health needs.
ATAGI advises the following groups should consider a 2023 booster dose, if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever was most recent) was six months ago or longer, regardless of the number of prior doses received:
All adults aged 18-64 years without risk factors for severe COVID-19
Children and adolescents aged 5-17 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 or disability with significant or complex health needs.
Individuals should discuss a risk benefit assessment with their immunisation provider.
Eligible people are able to get their booster dose now. All boosters are free for all Victorians. Use the vaccine clinic finder to book an appointment with your local pharmacy or GP.
At this stage, ATAGI advises a booster dose is not recommended for children and adolescents under the age of 18 who do not have any risk factors for severe COVID-19.
