Australia’s vaccine advisory group has recommended over-65s receive a “winter” COVID-19 vaccine jab.
In a statement, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) said indigenous Australians aged 50 and over, as well as residents of aged and disability care facilities will also be eligible for an additional vaccine dose from April.
“The additional winter booster dose can be given from four months or longer after the person has received their first booster dose, or from four months after a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, if infection occurred since the person’s first COVID-19 booster dose,” the ATAGI said.
It has recommended that the rollout of the additional booster dose starts from April, to coincide with the rollout of the 2022 influenza vaccination program.
“Influenza vaccine can be co-administered with the additional booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. However, if a person is not yet eligible for their additional booster dose, influenza vaccine could be given ahead of the additional booster dose.”
“Comirnaty (Pfizer) or Spikevax (Moderna) are the preferred vaccines for COVID-19 booster doses including the additional winter booster dose. Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) can be used when an mRNA vaccine is contraindicated or a person declines vaccination with an mRNA vaccine. Nuvaxovid (Novavax) can be used if no other COVID-19 vaccine is considered suitable for that person.”
| Target group | Recommendation for additional booster dose | Comments/information gaps/next steps |
|---|---|---|
| People aged ≥65 years | Recommended | Recommended from 4 months after the previous booster dose, or from 4 months after previous SARS-CoV-2 infection if this occurred since the previous booster dose. |
| Residents of aged care or disability care facilities | Recommended | Includes people with disability in group residential care facilities.Includes people in residential aged care or disability care who are aged <65 years.Recommended from 4 months after the previous booster dose, or from 4 months after previous SARS-CoV-2 infection if this occurred since the previous booster dose. |
| People who are severely immunocompromised aged ≥16 years | Recommended for people with severe immunocompromise, as defined in the ATAGI statement on use of a 3rd primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised | This will be a 5th dose as this group is recommended to receive 3 primary doses.Recommended from 4 months after the previous booster dose, or from 4 months after previous SARS-CoV-2 infection if this occurred since the previous booster dose. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged ≥50 years | Recommended | Recommended from 4 months after the previous booster dose, or from 4 months after previous SARS-CoV-2 infection if this occurred since the previous booster dose. |
| People aged <65 years with medical conditions that may increase their risk of COVID-19[1] | Not currently recommended.Remains under active consideration | Complete primary schedule. Promote first booster dose, if not already given.ATAGI will continue to evaluate emerging evidence over the coming weeks. |
| Health care, aged care and disability care workers | Complete primary schedule. Promote first booster dose, if not already given.ATAGI will continue to evaluate emerging evidence over the coming weeks. Maximise up to date vaccination of patients under care. | |
| All others aged 16–64 years | Complete primary schedule. Promote first booster dose, if not already given.ATAGI will continue to evaluate emerging evidence over the coming weeks. | |
| All others aged 5–15 years | Complete primary schedule. ATAGI will evaluate emerging evidence over the coming weeks regarding the first booster dose. | |
| 1except for people who are severely immunocompromised as defined in the ATAGI statement on use of a 3rd primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine |
