Older Australians and people at the highest risk of severe disease will be able to get a fourth COVID-19 vaccine ahead of winter. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) announced this recommendation on 25 March.
As well as including 43 million Australians aged over 65, this will include 230,000 aged and disability care residents, roughly 500,000 people who are severely immunocompromised aged 16 years and older, and about 80,000 Indigenous Australians aged 50 and older.
The rollout will begin in pharmacies and general practices on April 4 and can be given four to six months after the first booster shot. It will also be available at vaccination clinics.
Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be recommended for the booster doses, but non-mRNA vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Novavax will also be available for those who cannot receive an MRNA vaccine.
ATAGI will continue to review the evidence and may recommend an additional dose for broader sections of the population in the future.
People aged over 16 should have their first booster as soon as possible!
During winter our risk of catching viral illnesses is higher. Both flu and COVID-19 can cause serious illness and death, especially for those with underlying health conditions. It is safe and convenient to get both flu and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.
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