Following a review of the latest evidence, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is recommending an additional Covid vaccine dose be given to people at higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19 four months after their initial booster dose.
ATAGI recommends that adults aged 65 years and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50, residents of aged care and disability care facilities, and people aged 16 years and older who are severely immunocompromised receive a winter dose to maximise their protection against severe illness.
While Covid-19 is prevalent year-round, the cold weather can make it easier for viruses to infect our bodies.
A booster is your best protection against the most severe impacts of Covid and may provide protection against long Covid.
For this reason, the Australians considered most at risk should ideally receive their winter Covid-19 dose before winter. This new dose can be provided at the same time as the annual flu vaccine if it has been at least four months since an individual received their last booster.
Australians are encouraged to make sure their Covid-19 vaccinations are up to date, ensuring they have received two primary doses, as well as a booster.
Even if you have had Covid-19, it is important to maximise your protection from severe illness and have a booster.
ATAGI will continue to review the available evidence on the epidemiology of Covid-19, the potential impact of the emergence of new variants, and will update its advice if required.
