Booster vaccination
Find a location where you can get your booster vaccination, which is now recommended for everyone over the age of 50 and people at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
Updates to booster dose eligibility
Additional winter booster doses are now recommended for people over 50 and other people at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, such as:
- older people
- people living in aged care
- people living in disability care
- Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander peoples
- people who are immunocompromised, as defined by their doctor or clinician
- pregnant women aged 30-49, in discussion with their doctor.
People aged 30 and over can access an additional winter booster if they wish.
To speak to someone one-on-one about the COVID-19 vaccine and get help to book an appointment which suits you, call the vaccination booking service on 1800 571 155 from 8am to 9:30pm, 7 days a week.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible for a booster vaccination if you:
- are aged 16 years and over, and
- have completed your primary dose course of COVID-19 vaccination (have received 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine where 2 doses are the complete course, or 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine where a single dose is the complete course, or 3 doses if you are severely immunocompromised), and
- received your last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago.
People aged 12 to 15 years with complex health needs are also recommended to get a booster vaccination. This includes those who:
- are severely immunocompromised
- have a disability with significant or complex health needs
- have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 are also recommended to get a booster vaccination.
If you have recovered from COVID-19
You can get a booster vaccination 3 months after confirmed COVID-19 infection.
If you are pregnant
Booster doses are recommended for pregnant women.
Read frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.
Additional winter booster dose
Recommendations for an additional booster (fourth) dose focus on protecting the most vulnerable groups against severe illness.
From July 2022, you are recommended to have an additional winter COVID-19 vaccine (second booster / fourth dose) if you are:
- aged 50 years or over
- a resident of an aged care or disability care facility
- aged 16 years and over and severely immunocompromised (this will be a fifth dose)
- aged 16 years and over years and have complex, chronic or severe conditions, including:
- Immunocompromising conditions
- Cancer
- Specific chronic inflammatory conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and similar
- Chronic lung disease.
- Chronic liver disease.
- Severe chronic kidney disease
- Chronic neurological disease
- Diabetes requiring medication
- Chronic cardiac disease
- People with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple
comorbidities - Severe obesity
- Severely underweight
People aged 30 years and over are also eligible to receive an additional winter booster if they want to.
You can get your winter COVID-19 vaccination 3 months after your first booster dose. If you get COVID-19 before your winter booster dose, wait 3 months after infection to receive it.
The COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be given at the same time.
The flu vaccine is always free for people aged 65 years and over, children aged 6 months to under 5 years old, Aboriginal people, pregnant women and people at higher risk of serious illness from flu.
Check your eligibility
Residents of aged care or disability care facilities
First booster 3 months after second primary dose
Additional winter (second) booster 3 months after first booster.
People aged 50 years and over
First booster 3 months after second primary dose
Additional winter (second) booster 3 months after first booster.
People aged 30 – 49
First booster 3 months after second primary dose
Optional additional winter (second) booster 3 months after first booster
People aged 16 years and over who are severely immunocompromised or have complex, chronic or severe conditions
First booster 3 months after third primary dose
Additional winter (second) booster 3 months after first booster.
Find out more about who is eligible for a free flu vaccine.
All others aged 16-29 years
Booster 3 months after second dose
People aged 12 – 15 years who are severely immunocompromised, have a disability with significant health needs, or have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19
Booster 3 months after third primary dose
Find out more about who is eligible for a free flu vaccine.
People who are severely immunocompromised aged 5-11 years
No booster dose recommended, complete 3 primary doses
Find out more about who is eligible for a free flu vaccine.
All other aged 5-15 years
No booster dose recommended, complete 2 doses.
Find an appointment
You can get a booster at thousands of locations across NSW including pharmacies and GPs.
The Vaccine Clinic Finder is the best way to find and book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
If you need assistance to book an appointment, call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.
You will need to bring proof of vaccination for dose 1 and 2 to your booster appointment. Accepted proof includes:
- your COVID-19 certificate
- your immunisation record.
Support telephone lines
NSW Health Vaccination Support Line 1800 57 11 55
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) 131 450
About booster vaccination
Studies show that the immunity created by COVID-19 vaccines begins to wane over time. A booster dose helps to strengthen your immune system and improve your long-term protection against serious illness from the COVID-19 virus.
Approved vaccines for a booster dose include:
- 12 to 17 years:
- The Pfizer vaccine is the approved booster vaccine for people aged 12 to 17 years.
- 18 years and over:
- The Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines are recommended as boosters for people aged 18 years and over.
The AstraZeneca vaccine can be used when an mRNA vaccine is medically contraindicated or a person declines vaccination with an mRNA vaccine.
The Novavax vaccines can be used if no other COVID-19 vaccine is considered suitable for that person.
COVID-19 booster vaccines are not mandatory, however if it is recommended and you have not had a booster dose more than 6 months since your second dose you will no longer be considered up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations (overdue).
Boosters are highly recommended to continue to protect you, your loved ones and your community against COVID-19.
More information
Read NSW Health’s frequently asked questions for more information about:
- Boosters for immunocompromised people
- Getting a booster if you are pregnant
- The difference between a third dose and a booster dose
Stay up to date with the latest advice on vaccines.
Video: have you had your booster - in your language
A COVID-19 booster will help protect you and everyone you love. A booster will reduce your risk of serious illness by 95%. By protecting yourself, you’ll help keep your family, friends and community safe too.
Have you had your COVID-19 booster?
Read transcript
- Arabic (العربية) Have you had your booster video
- Chinese - Traditional (繁體中文) Have you had your booster video
- Chinese - Simplified 简体中文 Have you had your booster video
- Greek (Ελληνικά) Have you had your booster video
- Hindi (हिन्दी) Have you had your booster video
- Italian (Italiano) Have you had your booster video
- Korean (한국어) Have you had your booster video
- Spanish (Español) Have you had your booster video
- Thai (ไทย) Have you had your booster video
- Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) Have you had your booster video