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ATAGI updated recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines

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A booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is now recommended for some at-risk groups. A booster should also be considered for adults and children over 5 with risk factors.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends a 2023 COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for adults in the following groups if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer, and regardless of the number of prior doses received:

  • All adults aged 65 years and over
  • Adults (18-64 years) with medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 or disability with significant or complex health needs.

ATAGI advises the following groups to consider a 2023 booster dose if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer, regardless of the number of prior doses received, based on an individual risk-benefit assessment with their immunisation provider. 

  • All Adults aged 18-64 years without risk factors for severe COVID-19
  • Children and adolescents aged 5-17 years with medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 or disability with significant or complex health needs.

ATAGI advises that a booster dose is not recommended at this time for children and adolescents aged under the age of 18 who do not have any risk factors for severe COVID-19.

Regarding vaccine choice, all currently available COVID-19 vaccines are anticipated to provide benefits as a booster dose; however, bivalent mRNA booster vaccines are preferred over other vaccines. These include: Pfizer Original/Omicron BA.4/5, Pfizer Original/Omicron BA.1 or Moderna Original/Omicron BA.1. Moderna Original/Omicron BA.4/5 is currently under evaluation by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

COVID-19 vaccine can be co-administered with influenza and other vaccines.

Administration of a 2023 COVID-19 booster dose should aim to occur prior to June 2023  and at a time of 6 months or greater following the most recent COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection.

Ongoing surveillance of COVID-19 infection rates and clinical outcomes, new variants, and vaccine effectiveness will inform future recommendations for additional booster doses.

ATAGI 2023 Booster Advice*

 Age

At risk**

No risk factors

<5 years

Not recommended

 Not recommended

5-17 years

Consider

Not recommended

18-64 years

Recommended

Consider

≥ 65 years

Recommended

 Recommended
  • *mRNA bivalent booster preferred; for ages in which a bivalent vaccine is not approved, use a vaccine approved for that age group. A 2023 booster dose should be given 6 months after a person’s last dose or confirmed infection.
  • **Includes those with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness (refer to ATAGI clinical guidance) or those with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities which increase the risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19. 

More information

ATAGI statement on 2023 Boosters for COVID-19

ATAGI recommended COVID-19 doses and vaccines

ATAGI recommends the COVID-19 vaccination for some children aged 6 months to under 5 years.

ATAGI statement on the use of the Moderna bivalent Original/Omicron vaccine

Australian Department of Health - Information for people with disability on COVID-19 vaccines

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