New 2023 COVID-19 booster jab available from 20 February

Fifth COVID-19 vaccination now available

The Australian Government has followed the advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and announced that all adults who have not had a COVID-19 booster or a confirmed COVID-19 infection in the past six months can get another booster to give them additional protection from severe illness.

For this booster dose, all available COVID vaccines are anticipated to provide a benefit. However, Omicron-specific mRNA booster vaccines are preferred over other vaccines. While most providers already have stock, the Government has ordered additional Omicron-specific vaccine that will arrive in Australia between February and March.

All adults are eligible to receive a booster

While all adults over 18 are eligible to receive a fifth COVID shot, people aged 65 years and over as well as younger adults who have multiple medical conditions, a disability or complex health needs are particularly encouraged to follow this recommendation, as their risk of developing severe illness is high.

Children

The Government recommends that children aged five to 17 who have health conditions that would put them at risk of severe illness also receive a fifth dose.

Healthy children under 18 are not recommended a fifth dose, as their risk of developing severe disease is low, and they have a sufficient level of hybrid immunity.

Read the full statement from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon. Mark Butler MP here: All adults now eligible for a 2023 COVID-19 booster dose | Health Portfolio Ministers and Aged Care

Why another COVID-19 booster?

Winter is coming and most Australians have had their last COVID vaccination more than six months ago. Over time, immunity wanes. Meanwhile, Omicron-specific vaccines are available to you. Here are some reasons why having another COVID jab is so important:

Reason 1: Protect yourself

Being up-to date with your booster shots by following the ATAGI advice of a fifth COVID vaccination updates your waned immunity, protects you against severe disease and significantly increases your protection against long-COVID. Get ready for winter by getting your next booster dose.

Reason 2: Protect your loved ones

Being up-to date with your booster shots also protects your family, friends, and colleagues as you are less likely to spread the disease to them if your immune system is updated with a booster shot. You also play a big part in protecting other people at a high risk of getting COVID because they cannot be vaccinated or might not have responded to their vaccinations properly due to medical reasons.

Reason 3: COVID vaccines are safe

All COVID vaccines are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and have been administered billions of times worldwide, proving that they are safe and effective. No other vaccine in the history of mankind has been so rigorously supervised as COVID vaccines.

Reason 4: leaving it to only natural infection is risky

The risk of developing severe COVID disease and long-COVID is higher for people who are unvaccinated or not up to date with their boosters. Vaccination has much lower risks than natural COVID infection and serious adverse reactions are extremely rare.

Stay safe by getting your 2023 booster. Available from 20 February 2023, at health providers, pharmacies and community health centres, and free of charge.

If you want to find out where you can book your booster appointment, click here: Service Finder (healthdirect.gov.au)

If you need help booking a vaccination appointment: Message the Easy Vaccine Access (EVA) service Easy Vaccine Access (EVA) | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care