Booster vaccination
Check if you are eligible for a free COVID-19 booster vaccination, make an appointment or find a location where you can walk in without a booking.
Updates to booster dose eligibility
95% of people in NSW are now eligible for a booster 3 months after their second vaccination – get yours today.
Find a NSW Health Vaccination Clinic
Book now through the vaccine clinic finder
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:
- 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),
- are aged 16 years and over, and
- received your second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago.
If you are pregnant
Booster doses are recommended for pregnant women who have received 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Read frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.
If you are immunocompromised
Booster doses are recommended for severely immunocompromised people who have previously received 3 primary doses of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago.
If you have recovered from COVID-19
You can get a booster vaccination 3 months after confirmed COVID-19 infection.
Additional winter booster dose
From April 2022, you are eligible for a winter COVID-19 vaccine (second booster) if you are:
- aged 65 years or over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
- a resident of an aged care or disability care facility
- aged 16 years and over and severely immunocompromised. For people in this group, the winter vaccine dose will be a fifth COVID-19 vaccine dose (three primary doses, first booster and winter booster).
The recommendations for an additional booster dose focus on protecting the most vulnerable groups against severe illness.
You can get your winter COVID-19 vaccination 4 months after your first booster dose. If you get COVID-19 before your winter booster dose, wait three months to receive it.
The COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be given together at the same time. Most people who are eligible for an additional winter COVID-19 booster will also be eligible for a free flu vaccine, available in mid-late April 2022.
Check your eligibility
People aged 65 years and over
First booster 3 months after second primary dose
Additional winter (second) booster 4 months after first booster. Wait three months after infection if you've had COVID-19 since your first booster dose
Residents of aged care or disability care facilities
First booster 3 months after second primary dose
Additional winter (second) booster 4 months after first booster, or 4 months after COVID-19 infection if you've had COVID-19 since your first booster dose
People who are severely immunocompromised aged 16 years and over
First booster 3 months after third primary dose
Additional winter (second) booster 4 months after first booster. Wait three months after infection if you've had COVID-19 since your first booster dose
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
First booster 3 months after second primary dose
Additional winter (second) booster 4 months after first booster. Wait three months after infection if you've had COVID-19 since your first booster dose
Health care, aged care and disability care workers
Booster 3 months after second dose
All others aged 16-64 years
Booster 3 months after second dose
People aged 5-15 years
No booster dose recommended, complete 2 doses
People who are severely immunocompromised aged 5-15 years
No booster dose recommended, complete 3 doses
Find out more about who is eligible for a free flu vaccine.
Find an appointment
Booster appointments are available at thousands of locations across NSW including pharmacies and GPs.
Most NSW Health clinics and pop-up clinics also take “walk-ins,” meaning you don’t have to book.
- Walk in or find an appointment or walk-in at a NSW Health vaccination clinic.
- Find an appointment at a clinic, GP or pharmacy near you.
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) 131 450
About booster vaccination
Booster vaccinations are available for people aged 16 years and can be given 3 months after your second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, or for eligible people, 4 months or more after your first booster dose.
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:
- 16 to 17 years:
- The Pfizer vaccine is the approved booster vaccine for people aged 16 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 you are eligible and 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?
- 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
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