Booster vaccination

Who is recommended to have a booster vaccine dose?

If your last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or more, you may be recommended to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. It does not matter how many doses you have received before.

Adults

75 years or older

You are recommended to receive an additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose if 6 months has passed since your last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection.

65 to 75 years

You should consider an additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose if 6 months has passed since your last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist.

18 to 64 years

You should consider an additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose if you are severely immunocompromised and it has been 6 months since your last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are not at higher risk of severe illness, consider getting your first 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose. You are not recommended to get an additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose. Speak to your doctor or vaccination provider about your next COVID-19 vaccine booster dose.

People aged 5 to 17 years

A booster dose may be considered for children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or have a disability with significant or complex health needs. This should be based on a discussion with your child’s doctor or vaccination provider.

This applies to children and adolescents whose last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or more. It does not matter how many doses the child or adolescent has received before.

A booster dose is not currently recommended for children and adolescents aged under 18 years who are not at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Children aged under 5 years

Booster doses are not recommended for children aged under 5 years at this time.

The Australian Government has more detailed information about COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Australia and clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.

Speak to your doctor or vaccination provider about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccination for children. 

About booster vaccination and vaccines

Protection provided by COVID-19 vaccination begins to wane over time. An additional (booster) dose of COVID-19 vaccine helps to strengthen your immune system and improve your long-term protection against severe illness from COVID-19.

The vaccines currently approved for use in Australia, for primary vaccination courses and booster vaccination doses, include:

• Comirnaty (Pfizer) 
• Spikevax (Moderna) 
• Nuvaxovid (Novavax)

Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) is no longer available as an approved COVID-19 vaccine. If you previously received a primary course and/or booster dose of AstraZeneca, you can visit the Australian Government website for information.

Booster vaccine doses can be different types to your primary vaccination course.

The COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be given at the same time.

If you have recovered from COVID-19

You should follow the latest guidance from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) to determine when you should receive your next vaccination.

If you are pregnant

Booster doses are recommended for pregnant women.

Information on COVID-19 vaccination can be found in the COVID-19 vaccination - Shared decision making guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy.

Find a COVID-19 vaccination appointment

You can get a COVID-19 vaccination, including booster doses, at locations across NSW including GPs and pharmacies.

The healthdirect Service Finder is an easy way to find and book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment online.

For help to make a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, you can call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. Free in-language assistance is available (menu option 8). 

Or, you can SMS 'Hey Eva' to the Easy Vaccine Access (EVA) call back service on 0481 611 382 from 7am to 10pm, 7 days a week and be supported to book your vaccination appointment.

COVID-19 vaccination support and resources

You can speak to your GP, pharmacist or vaccination provider if you have questions about COVID-19 vaccination, including booster doses, or call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.

Get COVID-19 booster information in your language, or call the  Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450.

If you find it hard to read, there are Easy Read resources available that explain vaccination with simple words and pictures.

Get answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS). NCIRS is the leading research organisation in Australia on vaccine preventable diseases and immunisation.