The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended anyone aged 18 and over, who has not had a COVID-19 vaccine or tested positive for COVID-19 in the last six months, can get their latest shot from February 20.
This booster has been named the 2023 Booster.
Prior to this announcement, a 5th dose was only available in Australia for adults who were severely immunocompromised and a 4th dose was available for people aged 30 and over.
The Minister for Health, Mark Butler, released a statement earlier today that also emphasised the following:
“The ATAGI experts have particularly recommended that everyone at risk of severe illness – that is, everyone aged 65 years and over as well as younger adults who have medical comorbidities, disability or complex health needs – have a 2023 booster dose.”
“ATAGI has advised that otherwise healthy children and teenagers do not need a booster at this time, given the low incidence of severe illness and high level of hybrid immunity amongst this cohort.”
“In all instances the recommendation for a booster is for people whose most recent COVID-19 vaccine or infection was six months or more ago, irrespective of how many prior doses that person has received.”
For this booster dose, all available COVID-19 vaccines are anticipated to provide a benefit. However, Omicron-specific mRNA booster vaccines are preferred over other vaccines. 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.
2023 Booster vaccinations are available at Heathershaw’s. BOOK NOW.
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