COVID-19 Vaccinations
COVID Booster Doses
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) for additional protection against severe illness from COVID.
This is particularly recommended for people at higher risk of severe illness, including:
- everyone 65 years and over
- everyone 18 years and over with medical comorbidities, disability or complex health needs.
Children and young people aged 5 to 17 years can get 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.
All vaccines are approved for use in Australia and continue to provide robust protection against serious illness from COVID-19; however, Omicron-specific bivalent vaccines are preferred for boosters. Our practice has the Bivalent Pfizer available.
The date you had your last COVID-19 vaccine is on your COVID-19 digital certificate.
When should I get my next COVID-19 vaccination after recovering from COVID-19?
Everyone in Australia should wait 6 months between a COVID-19 infection and their next recommended vaccine dose.
This is to optimise vaccine protection. The gap between infection and vaccination is likely to lead to a better immune response and result in more extended protection from reinfection.
The next scheduled dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should be given as soon as possible after 6 months. You should still have all the recommended doses for your age and health needs.
Please refer to:
- https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-recommended-covid-19-doses-and-vaccines
- https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/covid-19-vaccines/getting-your-vaccination/booster-doses#booster-doses
- https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/getting-your-vaccination/booster-doses
- https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-when-to-get-your-vaccination
- https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccines-in-australia-a3-poster?language=en

