The Australian Government has updated its COVID-19 vaccination rollout in line with the most recent advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). This means that anyone over the age of 18 in Australia who has not had a COVID-19 infection or a vaccination in the last six months will be eligible for another booster shot from 20 February 2023.
For people under the age of 30, this means they are now eligible for a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose. People over the age of 30 are now eligible for a fifth COVID-19 vaccine dose.
While ATAGI has not made a formal recommendation for 18-64 year-olds to get another booster in 2023, it does urge people in this age group to consider getting one. It does not recommend an additional booster for children under the age of 17 with no medical risk factors. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 with medical risk factors should consider another booster, according to the advice.
Read more: Worried About the COVID-19 Vaccine? Here’s What You Need to Know
As reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, ATAGI favours the Omicron-specific mRNA booster vaccines for people in the 18-64 age range. However, it did state that any and all vaccines would offer benefits.
Health Minister Mark Butler revealed on Wednesday 8 February that Australia’s expected influx of nearly 10 million Omicron-specific vaccines helped prepare the nation to broaden its vaccination rollout.
Where to get your COVID-19 booster shot in Australia
To get your next COVID-19 booster, you can visit any of the following locations:
- General practitioners (GPs)
- Community pharmacies
- Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs)
- State and territory pop-up clinics
Use the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder to locate a vaccine provider near you.
