updated 7th December 2023

ATAGI has advised all adults can get a booster if it’s been 6 months or longer since their last COVID-19 booster or confirmed infection (whichever is most recent). Boosters give extra protection against severe illness from COVID.

This particularly includes people at higher risk of severe illness, like:

• All adults aged over 65
• everyone 18 years and over with medical comorbidities, disability or complex health needs.

Children and young people aged 5 to 17 years can consider getting a booster dose if:

• they have a health condition that put them at risk of severe illness, and
• if it’s been 6 months since their last dose or COVID-19 infection.

Your doctor can help you decide if your child should receive a booster. Booster doses are not recommended at this time for children and adolescents under 18 years of age who do not have any risk factors for severe COVID-19.

The monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines are preferred over other vaccines for use in children aged 5 years or older and adults who are currently recommended primary or additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine according to the Australian Immunisation Handbook.