All Australian adults will be able to have a fifth COVID shot this year with the Government accepting the latest expert advice.
The advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on immunisation says everyone aged over 18 who has not had either a COVID booster shot or a confirmed case of the virus within the past six months can update their protection.
The experts have particularly recommended everyone at risk of severe illness should have a 2023 booster dose. This covers people aged 65 and over, and those with medical comorbidities, disabilities or complex health needs.
But their advice is that healthy children and teenagers don’t need a booster shot, except where they have conditions that would put them at risk of severe illness.
“From February 20, all adults who haven’t had a booster or an infection in the past six months can go out and get a booster shot, to give them additional protection against severe illness from COVID,” Health Minister Mark Butler said.
“The Government has secured millions of doses of Omicron-specific boosters, with millions more arriving this month, in the largest one-month arrival since late 2021.”
The announcement also means Australians aged 18-29, will be eligible for a fourth dose, previously only those considered most at risk of severe illness or aged 30 and over were previously eligible.
There are 4 million doses of Omicron-specific vaccines available now and another 10 million shots are expected to arrive during February.
The Government will also write to aged care providers to encourage them to bring pharmacists and GPs into their facilities to make sure residents receive their extra vaccinations.
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